Seven injuries as De Bruin calls on experience for USA mission

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Springbok Women head coach Swys de Bruin has named an exciting and experienced squad of 30 players for the two Tests against the USA in Johannesburg and Pretoria early next month.

The Tests, which are played on the same day as the Springboks’ opening two Nations Championship rounds, are scheduled for Ellis Park on July 4 and Loftus Versfeld on July 11.

*Also read: Why Bok Women v Black Ferns makes Greatest Rivalry ‘extra special’

The Springbok Women concluded their alignment camp in Stellenbosch on Friday, and De Bruin expressed his satisfaction with the work done over the last two weeks.

Despite a few injury setbacks and some players only arriving this week following a compulsory rest period after their HSBC SVNS commitments, De Bruin was happy with the squad that will travel to Johannesburg on Sunday.

“This squad has not played together since last year’s World Cup, but once in camp, it did not take long for us to find that synergy we had last year,” said De Bruin.

“The USA played in the Pacific Four series against New Zealand, Australia and Canada, so we expect them to have some momentum coming into this historic series in South Africa, but for the last two weeks our focus was on ourselves.

“I am pleased to say we concluded this camp positively about the outcomes.”

In all, 22 players in the group were part of the 2025 RWC squad that made history with a quarterfinal finish, while the other eight include standouts from the recent Rugby Africa Women’s Cup, and some former internationals whose form in the domestic Pick n Pay Women’s Premier League demanded a recall to national duty.

Danelle Lochner (Harlequins) and Micke Gunter (Leicester Tigers) also rejoined following their exploits for their English clubs.

De Bruin said: “I must credit my assistant coaches, Franzel September and Laurian Johannes-Haupt, for their efforts in the last couple of weeks, while the support staff did an excellent job in making sure that we could really focus on our fundamentals and strategies during the camp.

“We have a couple of work-ons in Johannesburg next week, but for now, we are in the space we wanted to be.”

Seven players were not considered due to injury and return-to-play protocols. They are Nadine Roos, Sinazo Mcatshulwa, Lindelwa Gwala, Aseza Hele, Donelle Snyders, Naima Hlatshwayo, and Chumisa Qawe.

Following long-standing captain Nolusindiso Booi’s retirement last year, De Bruin said he will reveal the team’s new skipper with the team announcement for the first Test next week.

The South African Rugby Union (SARU) announced on Saturday that the Test between the Springbok Women and the USA Women at Ellis Park on 4 July would be played in honour of the memory of the Walter and Albertina Sisulu.

SARU agreed to the gesture after interacting with the Sisulu Foundation and the work it has done in the memory of two towering figures in South African history.

The legacy of “Mama Sisulu”, in particular, was being honoured by the association with the Springbok Women in their test match against the USA.

“Mama Sisulu’s life of self-sacrificial love for her people, her unwavering fortitude, and her strong leadership remains an extraordinary example for South Africa’s young women,” said Allan Boesak, chairman of the Foundation.

“Her life is an inspiration for young women in their ongoing struggle to find their rightful, honoured and respected place in South African society, in every walk in life, including sports. Her compassion and determination to seek what is right, is a sustained and sustaining beacon of hope.”

Mark Alexander, president of SARU, said the Union was pleased to assist in publicising the work of the Foundation and the legacy of Walter and Albertina Sisulu, particularly the latter, in association with the national women’s team.

Boesak said: “This partnership highlights the intimate relationship between sports and human upliftment, sports and human potential, sports and social justice, and sports and national unity, this is something which was central to Walter’s life.

“While every sports code has its own path, SARU and the Sisulu Foundation have chosen a collaboration concentrating especially on Women’s Rugby. It is fitting, proper, and natural.”

Springbok Women squad:

Forwards: Sanelisiwe Charlie (Bulls Daisies), Xoliswa Khuzwayo (Golden Lions), Yonela Ngxingolo (Bulls Daisies), Thandile Mazwi (Western Province), Nombuyekezo Mdliki (Border), Babalwa Latsha (Western Province), Anushka Groenewald (Western Province), Micke Gunter (Leicester Tigers), Nomsa Mokwai (Western Province), Danelle Lochner (Harlequins Women), Vainah Ubisi (Bulls Daisies), Anathi Qolo (Bulls Daisies), Sizophila Solontsi (Bulls Daisies), Sinelitha Noxeke (Bulls Daisies), Lerato Makua (Bulls Daisies), Faith Tshauke (Bulls Daisies), Catha Jacobs (Golden Lions), Logan Welman (Western Province)

Backs: Anacadia Minnaar (EP Queens), Felicia Jacobs (Boland Dames), Unam Tose (Bulls Daisies), Libbie Janse van Rensburg (Bulls Daisies), Eloise Webb (Boland Dames), Aphiwe Ngwevu (Border), Ayanda Malinga (Bulls Daisies), Maceala Samboya (Boland Dames), Alichia Arries (Western Province), Byrhandré Dolf (Bulls Daisies), Jakkie Cilliers (Bulls Daisies), Shaunique Alexander (Bulls Daisies)