Anathi Qolo embraces Springbok Women's leadership role ahead of Africa Cup
Image: Henk Kruger, Independent Newspapers
Springbok Women's skipper Anathi Qolo said being handed the armband for the 2025 Rugby Women's Africa Cup in Madagascar helped unlock hidden leadership potential.
The Bulls Daisies lock will guide the SA team in the defence of their title at Stade Makis in Antananarivo that kicks off with Saturday's clash against Uganda (noon kickoff). Kenya and Madagascar are the other two teams taking part in the tournament.
"I never thought that I have leadership skills in me until I got this opportunity to lead this brilliant pack," Qolo told Independent Media Sport exclusively this week.
The number of experienced players included in the squad named on Friday will surely only help the new skipper find her feet.
Qolo will captain a Springbok Women's side with a combined 174 caps in their opener against Uganda, with three uncapped players – Patience Mokone (wing), Faith Tshauke (No 8) and Anushka Groenewald (flanker) – included in the starting team for the Test at Stade Makis.
A further five uncapped players have been named on the replacements' bench in props Anuchka Ekron and Sinothile Bhengu, lock Dineo Ndlhovu, flanker Nobuhle Mjwara and centre Leigh Fortuin.
Fortuin and Mokone represented the Springbok Women's Sevens team earlier in the season, while all of the uncapped players, apart from Mjwara, also played for the Junior Springbok Women earlier in their careers.
The Africa Cup squad of 28 trained under assistant coach Franzel September and Bafana Nhleko, while another group continued World Cup preparations under Springbok Women's performance coach Swys de Bruin and forwards coach Laurian Johannes-Haupt.
"I'm happy with the preparations because the team has been progressing and focusing on the main job, which is to win Africa Cup," Qolo said. "Our set piece has been our main focus, together with our skillset.
"Our biggest improvement has also been in the set piece because we've been focusing on that."
Qolo is bracing for a fast and physical game, feeling it will take "effort, attitude and dedication" to retain their crown.
"Heading to the World Cup it will mean a lot to me and my team as we're paving the way to a brighter future for South African rugby," she said.
September agreed with his captain and said they are expecting a physical battle and some direct rugby.
"What we saw in our analysis is that they are not scared to run with the ball, so there is an element of variety in their play, and they love doing quick taps from penalties,' he said. 'We prepared well and will be ready for everything they are going to throw at us.'
The Springbok Women thrashed Uganda 63-3 in East London in September 2013 and 89-5 in Brakpan in August 2019. The Lady Cranes could be in for another torrid afternoon, with South Africa starting with five backs who represented the country at the previous Rugby World Cup in New Zealand in a sign of intent.
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