'A symbol of courage': tributes paid to Springbok captain Lusanda Dumke

Former Springbok Women captain, Lusanda Dumke, has died age 29 after a battle with a rare gastric cancer.

Over the course of her career Dumke won 33 Test caps for her country, captained the Springbok Women on three occasions, represented the Springbok Women’s Sevens side and in 2022 was SA Rugby’s Women’s Rugby Player of the Year.

Mark Alexander, President of SA Rugby, said: “Lusanda will be remembered not only as a former captain of our Springbok Women’s team, but also as a symbol of courage, leadership, and resilience far beyond her years.

“She played the game with heart and humility, always giving everything she had for her team. Her work ethic, toughness, and selfless commitment set the standard, and she led by example every time she stepped onto the field.

“Even in the face of immense personal challenge, she carried herself with dignity and strength, inspiring those around her on and off the field. Her legacy lives on in the lives she touched, the example she set, and the pride with which she represented her country.

“On behalf of SA Rugby, we extend our deepest condolences to the Dumke family, loved ones, friends, and teammates, on the sad passing of Lusanda. Losing someone so young to cancer is heartbreaking, and our thoughts are with all who loved and supported her through his journey. May you find strength, comfort, and peace during this difficult time.”

Over the course of her 11 year senior playing career Dumke hit plenty of milestones. She made her debut for the Border Ladies in 2015 aged 18 and made her international debut for South Africa three years later against Wales in Cardiff.

After she became a regular fixture in the Springbok Women setup, she first captained the side in 2021 against Kenya in a two-Test series. In 2022 she was a member of the Springbok Women side that war to the 2021 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. Her last international outing came against Italy in 2024 at WXV 2.

She also represented her country in rugby sevens. She made her debut for the Springbok Women’s Sevens in Cape Town in 2019 and later played at the 2022 Rugby Africa Women’s Sevens Cup event in Tunisia where the Boks defended their crown.

As captain and mainstay of the Bulls Daisies side she won three consecutive Women’s Premier Division titles and made 31 appearances for the team.

Thando Manana, Blue Bulls’ Head of High Performance and Special Projects, said: “Lusanda was more than a captain; she was the heartbeat of our Daisies team and a true inspiration to everyone at the Bulls and in South African sport. To achieve what she did by the age of 28, leading a team to a three-peat and captaining her country, is simply phenomenal.

“Her fight against cancer mirrored her toughness on the field; she fought till the end. Her legacy of resilience and success will forever define this era of women’s rugby in South Africa. We have lost a precious, rare gem, and our thoughts are with her family.”