Anathi Qolo: Leading a new era for the Bok Women
EXCLUSIVE: Cindy Booi’s retirement was marked by tears and emotion, but the former Springbok Women’s captain can take comfort in knowing the team is in capable hands.
One of the many leaders in the team who has underlined that fact is Anathi Qolo.
The powerful lock guided the Springbok Women to back-to-back Rugby Africa Women’s Cup titles after being appointed captain ahead of the 2025 tournament.
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Qolo led South Africa against Madagascar, Uganda and hosts Kenya, helping the team secure a sixth Rugby Africa crown and a fifth successive title.
Despite finishing the campaign unbeaten, Qolo admitted it was far from straightforward, especially with a passionate Kenyan crowd creating a hostile atmosphere in Nairobi.
“The tournament was really amazing. Kenya was also nice, but not quite welcoming,” Qolo told Rugby365.
“We had to defend our title, and I think they felt like they could win this time around, because we brought in nine debutants and they had their HSBC SVNS players.
“They also had an upper hand because they were playing at home.”
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The Springbok Women arrived in Kenya as overwhelming favourites, but the road to the title was anything but smooth.
South Africa were slow out of the blocks against Madagascar, conceding an early try before storming to a 64-5 victory. Uganda then raced into a 12-0 lead in the second match before the Bok Women found their rhythm and powered to a 47-20 win.
The final hurdle proved equally demanding. South Africa trailed Kenya at half-time before producing a determined second-half performance to claim a 35-20 victory and retain their continental crown.
For Qolo, one of the biggest positives of the tournament was the contribution of the newcomers.
“They adapted well in the structure and they also gave us an upper hand.
“If you see Logan Welman’s carry or Thandile Mazwi’s carry. Like everyone, Insaaf Levy. It was really, really great.
“They gave us great motivation. They don’t look like the way debutants do as well.”
Born in Queenstown, Qolo was raised in the heart of East London’s Mdantsane township and is emerging as one of the most influential figures in South African women’s rugby.
The Bulls Daisies forward, who captained her side to a fourth consecutive Women’s Premier Division title, has become a cornerstone of the national team. A line-out specialist and dynamic ballcarrier, she has earned 14 Test caps since making her debut against Spain in Valladolid.
Qolo was also part of the Springbok Women’s squad that reached the Rugby World Cup quarterfinals for the first time, and her rise to become the 11th captain of the national side reflects her growing stature within the game.
With Booi stepping away from international rugby, the 28-year-old has embraced the responsibility of leading the team during back-to-back continental tournaments with maturity and composure.
“I’ve never thought I had the leadership skills.
“But the way my teammates look at me and the way they speak to me, it shows that I really got this.
“I can be a leader, an example to them.
“And also, God has carried me to have this strength. Because I’ve asked Him a lot of times, ‘How am I going to do this? Please help me. I don’t know what I’m doing.’
“But then, please take me through it. So, teammates and prayer really help me.”
While Qolo’s calm demeanour is one of her greatest strengths, she admits there is a fiercely competitive edge beneath the surface when the situation demands it.
That quality will be tested again next month when the Springbok Women host the USA Eagles in a historic two-Test series. South Africa will face the Americans at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on July 4 before the teams meet again a week later at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria. Both matches form part of the Nations Championship double-headers alongside fixtures involving the Springbok men.
It will be the first time South Africa have hosted the USA on home soil. Their previous meeting came in March 2024 at Trailfinders Sports Ground in London, where the Eagles claimed a 38-17 victory.
With the Americans set to arrive in Gauteng in the coming weeks, Qolo is expecting another physical examination.
“The last time we played them, they were physical,” Qolo said.
“They play more international games than us and some of their players play in the Premiership Women’s Rugby in England.
“So, they have skills.
“So, it’s going to be quite a challenging game. But we are up for it.”
Like many female rugby players, Qolo’s sporting journey began on the netball court before she discovered rugby. It was at Sandisiwe High School where her passion for the game first took hold – a passion that has since carried her to the highest level and positioned her as one of the leading figures in the next chapter of Springbok Women’s rugby.
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