'Big step forward': Springbok Women name squad for inaugural 'A' tour

SA Rugby have confirmed the 26-player squad that will travel to Brazil for the first-ever South Africa Women ‘A’ tour.

They will play Brazil ‘A’ squad in back-to-back fixtures in Sao Paolo on 24 and 29 August. The squad will be captained by capped Springbok Women back Mary Zulu, who represented the Boks at Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025.

The 23-year-old is one of capped Springbok players in the playing group travelling to South America, which boasts an average age of 22. Luchell Hanekom, who also competed in England last year, returns from injury.

Dave Wessels, SA Rugby’s General Manager of High-Performance, said: “The establishment of an SA Women’s ‘A’ side and the forthcoming trip to Brazil is another big step forward for women’s rugby in South Africa, as it strengthens our talent pathways and builds greater depth at international level.

“This tour also opens an exciting new frontier with our friends in Brazil. We are very grateful to them for everything they have done to make this tour a reality. It gives our players valuable exposure and expands the reach and ambition of our women’s game.”

Anusckha Ekron, Sino Bhengu, Abigail Smit, Zethu Gcaza, Insaaf Levy and Shaunique Alexander are all named in the squad after taking part in the Boks’ Rugby Africa Women’s Cup campaign earlier this year.

There is also a place for Isabella Nel, who was only introduced to rugby this year as part of a an SA Rugby initiative to recruit players from other sports. The former field hockey player is the first cross-code athlete to be selected from that programme.

“We have some amazing female athletes in South Africa and players such as Danelle Lochner, Zintle Mpupha and Kayla Swarts, to name but a few, have already made the transition into rugby,” Wessels said.

“Growing the women’s game is an important driver for us and we believe we can boost our programmes with female players from other codes.

“We’ve already held a camp with some of them and the talent is there, we just have to nurture it. It’s great to see Isabella make the squad and we’re excited to see what she can do.”

SA Women ‘A’ squad to tour Brazil

Forwards: Anusckha Ekron*, Iviwe Jonas, Luchell Hanekom*, Jada Davids, Anothando Khatshwa, Abigail Smit*, Kaylee Daniels, Courtney Hickson, Yonelisa Plaatjie (all DHL Western Province), Karabo Lebotsa (Isuzu Bulls Daisies), Sino Bhengu*, Avela Gwala (both Sharks Women), Vanessa Gabadi (Limpopo Blue Bulls), Zethu Gcaza*, Emihle Mayitshe (both Border Ladies), Yonda Nokwe (EP Queens).

Backs: Insaaf Levy*, Anitha Fazi (both DHL Western Province), Mary Zulu* (captain, Sharks Women), Lithalethu Nombakuse (EP Queens), Isabella Nel (unattached), Lilitha Vakalisa (Border Ladies), Thobile Msizazwe, Camelitha Malone, Shaunique Alexander* (all Isuzu Bulls Daisies), Hayley Hardneck (Sanlam Boland Dames)

Head coach: Bafana Nhleko