First Springbok Women squad of 2026 announced by De Bruin

Springbok Women head coach Swys de Bruin has included 10 uncapped players for the team’s first alignment camp of 2026.

In May, South Africa will compete in the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup before hosting the USA Women’s Eagles in two Tests in July and New Zealand’s Black Ferns in September. In total the side will play 14 matches this year.

A number of senior players have been unavailable for the Stellenbosch camp. Danelle Lochner and Mike Gunter have club commitments in Premiership Women’s Rugby, while Ayanda Malinga, Zintle Mpupha, Lerato Makua, Catha Jacobs, Maceala Samboya, Nadine Roos, Sizophila Solontsi, Aseza Hele and Libbie Janse van Rensburg are either on Springbok Women’s Sevens duty or injured.

Swys de Bruin, Springbok Women head coach, said: “We have some injuries amongst our senior players and others are away on sevens duty, so we needed to plan around that.

“There were a couple of younger players in the tournament that showed promise and we invited them to have a closer look at their abilities too. It is an exciting time for all of us as we take our first steps towards a bumper season.”

Springbok Women alignment camp squad

Luchell Hanekom, Roseline Botes, Sinazo Mcatshulwa, Logan Welman*, Abigail Smit*, Thandile Mazwi*, Anothando Khatshwa*, Babalwa Latsha, Anushka Groenewald, Insaaf Levy*, Alichia Arries (all Western Province), Xoliswa Khuzwayo, Ntsako Mbombi* (both Golden Lions Women), Mary Zulu, Nobuhle Mjwara, Lindelwa Gwala (all Sharks Women), Nombuyekezo Mdliki, Aphiwe Ngwevu, Zethu Gcaza* (all Border Ladies), Siphenathi Yeko*, Anacadia Minnaar (both EP Queens), Felicia Jacobs (Boland Dames), Sanelisiwe Charlie, Yonela Ngxingolo, Vainah Ubisi, Anathi Qolo, Faith Tshauke, Sinelitha Noxeke, Unam Tose, Jakkie Cilliers, Naima Hlatshwayo*, Chuma Qawe, Shaunique Alexander* (all Bulls Daisies)

*Uncapped