Latest news with #RugbyAfricaWomen'sCup
IOL News
17-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Springbok Women's squad boosted for Black Ferns XV tour to South Africa
SPRINGBOK Women to take on the Black Ferns XV in two matches in Cape Town in what will be South Africa's final preparation for next month's World Cup in England. | Henk Kruger, Independent Newspapers Springbok Women coach Swys de Bruin has named a 32-player squad to take on the Black Ferns XV in two matches in Cape Town in what will be South Africa's final preparation for next month's World Cup in England. The matches against the touring New Zealanders will be played at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town, with kick-off scheduled for 5pm on 26 July and 2 August. De Bruin added six players to the group that concluded the two-Test series against Canada in Pretoria and Gqeberha, with the recall of Vainah Ubisi the most significant. Ubisi has completed the final stages of her rehabilitation following knee surgery and the lock, who has been capped 18 times since 2023, should make her first appearance of the year for the national team in one of the two matches. Four players who formed part of the Rugby Africa Women's Cup winning group — Mary Zulu, Aphiwe Ngwevu, Anathi Qolo and Faith Tshauke — rejoin the squad as well as Maceala Samboya, who toured France and Spain with the team earlier this year. The squad consists of 13 backs and 19 forwards, and De Bruin said the new players will have no problems slotting back in. 'We are very close to our final World Cup squad and those six joining the group have played and toured with us in the past,' said De Bruin. 'They are up to date with our plays and structures, so we can get our hands dirty from our first session on Monday, to be best prepared for the two matches. 'I am happy to see Vainah back in the mix as well. She is one of the best in her position and we followed her rehabilitation with interest. Credit to the medical staff who helped her on the way.' De Bruin admitted that the Black Ferns XV will provide a very stiff challenge: 'They have the whole bag of tricks in their squad. They have Black Ferns players who will be on the standby list for World Cup selection, a strong group of players who have good experience in their Super Rugby Aupiki tournament, and some very promising youngsters coming through the ranks. 'We need to be tested in all areas of our game, so welcome that. Canada did provide clarity on some of our work-ons and this Black Ferns XV team will hopefully do the same.' Springbok Women squad for the Black Ferns XV matches Forwards: Sanelisiwe Charlie (Bulls Daisies), Yonela Ngxingolo (Bulls Daisies), Babalwa Latsha (unattached), Azisa Mkiva (Western Province), Nombuyekezo Mdliki (Border Ladies), Micke Gunter (unattached),Luchell Hanekom (Western Province), Roseline Botes (Western Province), Danelle Lochner (Harlequins Women), Nolusindiso Booi (captain, Western Province), Nomsa Mokwai (Western Province), Vainah Ubisi (Bulls Daisies), Anathi Qolo (Bulls Daisies), Sinazo Mcatshulwa (unattached), Lerato Makua (Bulls Daisies), Catha Jacobs (unattached), Aseza Hele (Sanlam Boland Dames), Sizophila Solontsi (Bulls Daisies), Faith Tshauke (Bulls Daisies). Backs: Byrhandré Dolf (Bulls Daisies), Jakkie Cilliers (Bulls Daisies), Ayanda Malinga (Bulls Daisies), Maceala Samboya (Sanlam Boland Dames), Zintle Mpupha (Bulls Daisies), Libbie Janse van Rensburg (Bulls Daisies), Chumisa Qawe (Bulls Daisies), Aphiwe Ngwevu (Border Ladies), Eloise Webb (Border Ladies), Mary Zulu (Sharks Women), Unam Tose (Bulls Daisies), Nadine Roos (Springbok Women's Sevens), Tayla Kinsey (Sharks Women).
IOL News
27-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Springbok Women's Sevens captain Mathrin Simmers hangs up her boots
Mathrin Simmers, carrying the ball, has decided to hang up her boots after leading SA with distinction in the sevens arena. Springbok Women's Sevens skipper Mathrin Simmers, South Africa's most experienced women's sevens player, has decided to hang up her rugby boots. The 37-year-old represented the Springbok Women's Sevens since 2012, playing in 21 HSBC SVNS events, three Rugby World Cup Sevens, two Commonwealth Games and the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, as well as nine Rugby Africa Women's Cup events and five World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series tournaments. Simmers also represented the Springbok Women in six matches, including four Tests, between 2013 and 2019, scoring three tries in the process. 'Representing my country on numerous occasions has been one of the greatest honours of my life. Wearing that jersey, standing beside my teammates, singing the anthem – those are moments I'll carry in my heart forever," she said. 'Rugby has given me so much more than just a game – it has given me purpose, passion, and a second family."
IOL News
18-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Preparing for glory: How Springbok Women's team are building depth for 2025 Rugby World Cup
Winger Patience Mokone (23) was one of the stand-out young players for the Springbok Women in the Rugby Africa Cup. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix Comment by Leighton Koopman Building and maintaining depth has always been one of the biggest stumbling blocks for the Springbok Women's side. However, under the tutelage of performance coach Swys de Bruin and his assistants Franzel September, Laurian Johannes-Haupt and Bafana Nhleko, they have ticked one box after the other on their way to the 2025 Rugby World Cup in England. A few blocks must still fall in place over the next month, especially on the field, but the Bok Women are set to head to the United Kingdom in August with their strongest squad ever to compete at the event. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading The women's game in South Africa will not only benefit ahead of the World Cup, but also in the long run as well. De Bruin has ensured the blueprint of Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus was followed looking at how they have expanded the overall squad with talented players. Broadening the selection pool at a national level has been crucial to the Bok Women's success over the past few months, and they did that while winning matches. The short-term goal is to make them as competitive as possible when they take on France, Italy and Brazil in the pool stages at the World Cup. Looking at how they are currently faring, there exists a realistic chance that they can progress past the pool stages. Unbeaten in Africa. United in purpose. The #BokWomen are Rugby Africa Cup champions for the fourth time 🏆#MakeItCount #ETTIG — SA Women's Rugby (@WomenBoks) June 15, 2025 The Springbok Women recently returned from the Rugby Africa Women's Cup in Madagascar with an unbeaten record, achieved by a fairly inexperienced squad coached by September and Nhleko. They took 28 players, some of whom made their debut in Madagascar, and defeated all three of their opponents, so that is something to celebrate. On top of that, only four players in the match-day squad for the final game against the host nation had 15 or more caps behind their names. It shows that something is being done right in the Bok Women's camp, and if they can continue on this path, they'll see more success in the future. Twenty other players stayed behind for a camp with De Bruin and Johannes-Haupt, where they were fine-tuning their plans for two important Tests against Canada next month. The Canadians are ranked second in the world, so the Springbok Women could not have asked for stronger opponents to measure themselves against ahead of the tournament. They will know exactly where they stand in terms of competitiveness after the two matches that will act as openers for the men's Tests against Italy, on July 5 in Pretoria and July 12 in Gqeberha. The South Africans made proper plans for Canada over the last couple of months, so they should be able to string together some strong performances. Whatever happens this season, De Bruin and his assistants have ensured that women's rugby at the top level will be healthy going forward. They've embraced the example of Erasmus when it comes to broadening their player base, while winning on the international scene. That will stand them in good stead, not just at the World Cup, but also for what awaits on the international scene after the tournament.
IOL News
16-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Youthful Springbok Women's team came to the party in Madagascar's Africa Cup
The Springbok Women returned home on Monday relieved and proud that they executed their mandate in Madagascar at the 2025 Rugby Africa Women's Cup after wins over Uganda, Kenya and Madagascar. This resulted in another continental title and trophy for the South Africans. According to Springbok Women assistant coach Franzel September, the planning stages for this tournament were one thing, but the execution thereof was another and they are pleased that the young team delivered on several objectives planned. 'We came here with a clear view of what we wanted out of the tournament,' said September. 'It was part of our Rugby World Cup preparations, but we also wanted the players to express themselves out there. 'We decided to bring a number of uncapped players here but there was never any doubt about their talent and ability. They showed in the provincial competition that they can mix it with our current Springboks, and they did not disappoint. 'One of the players just came to thank the coaches with tears in her eyes for getting the opportunity to showcase her talent on the international stage. We gave them the opportunity, and they used it.' September said the moving parts came together nicely: 'I am also happy that we could integrate some of our sevens players into our system, they did well, while we also had eight players in the squad that played in the previous Rugby World Cup, and they needed match time in their legs as well. It was a successful trip for the programme.' Anathi Qolo, who captained the team to Madagascar, also praised the new players and said the fact that they won all three matches gave them confidence and a clear idea of what is needed in the green and gold. 'This was not an easy competition, make no mistake, the other teams tested us in many aspects of our play, and we had to work really hard as a team to achieve the desired results,' said Qolo. Reflecting on the 61-17 victory over Madagascar on Sunday, Qolo said: 'We executed the game plan well. We knew they would want to go wide all the time, so had a plan to bring them back to our pack and it worked well. 'Overall, it was a success. We came to win, and we leave undefeated, so it was a successful mission.'
The Star
11-06-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Springbok Women survive late rally from Kenya to maintain unbeaten run at Rugby Africa Cup
The Springbok Women's poor ball retention almost came back to bite them as they survived a late onslaught to hold off the Kenya Lionesses 19-12 in their Rugby Africa Women 's Cup clash at the Stade Makis in Antananarivo, Madagascar on Wednesday. The South Africans – who thrashed Uganda 62-7 in their tournament opener – were dominant in the opening 40 minutes, but could only muster 12 points from two tries and a conversion. The Bok Women, who are using the tournament as preparation for the World Cup in September, got stuck into the Kenyans from the start. The forwards, with the likes of tighthead prop Nombuyekezo Mdliki, captain and lock Anathi Qolo and hooker Luchell Hanekom prominent, made serious inroads on attack with their strong carries, and they were backed up by backs such as wing Patience Mokone and fullback Byrhandr é Dolf. But the Bok Women battled to finish off a number of attacking moves, with their handling letting them down as they either lost possession or conceded breakdown turnover or penalty at crucial times inside the Kenyan 22. That trend continued in the second half, and despite enjoying a healthy advantage in the scrums and playing with great physicality, SA were met with courageous defence by the determined Kenyans. The Bok Women started off well enough, with powerful centre Aphiwe Ngwevu charging over from close range after a clever inside pass from flyhalf Mary Zulu. But the South Africans had to wait until the 35th minute to add to their tally, when red-haired wing Mokone's dazzling run was finished off by flank Lerato Makua. The defending champions never looked in any danger of losing the game despite their frustrating time on attack, and replacement loose forward Nobuhle Mjwara's touchdown with less than 15 minutes to go seemed to seal the victory. But Kenya never gave up, and two late tries led to a thrilling finish. Wing Freshia Awino got the East Africans on the scoreboard with good pace down the left flank, and a few minutes later, replacement prop Noleen Khaleyi dived over after a stunning counter-attack from inside their own half. Suddenly it was 19-12 with five minutes to go, and the South Africans looked like they had lost their grip on the encounter.
