'Rare gem': Bulls and SA Rugby pay tribute to leader
The Blue Bulls Company confirmed the devastating news of the passing of Bulls Daisies captain, Lusanda Dumke.
The decorated loose forward died at the age of 29 following a battle with a rare gastric cancer. Dumke served as captain of the Bulls Daisies from the franchise’s inception in 2023, leading the team to a historic three consecutive Women’s Premier Division titles, including the 2025 championship.
She made 31 appearances for the Daisies during her tenure.
Beyond her franchise success, Dumke was a stalwart of the national team, earning 33 Test caps for the Springbok Women and captaining the national side on three occasions.
Thando Manana, Head of High Performance and Special Projects at the Blue Bulls Company, offered a tribute to the late captain.
“Lusanda was more than a captain; she was the heartbeat of our Daisies team and a true inspiration to everyone at the Bulls and in South African sport. To achieve what she did by the age of 29, leading a team to a three-peat and captaining her country, is simply phenomenal.
“Her fight against cancer mirrored her toughness on the field; she fought till the end. Her legacy of resilience and success will forever define this era of women’s rugby in South Africa.
“We have lost a precious, rare gem, and our thoughts are with her family.”
Born on September 11, 1996, Dumke made her provincial debut for the Border Ladies in 2015 as an 18-year-old. Her Test debut followed three years later, in 2018 against Wales in Cardiff.
She became a regular fixture in the Bok team and captained the side for the first time in 2021, against Kenya in a two-Test series in Stellenbosch. She also captained the side against Australia in 2024.
In 2022, Dumke was a member of the Springbok Women’s squad that participated in the Women’s Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, where she played in all three pool matches, against France, Fiji and England. Her last Test was against Italy in WXV 2 in Cape Town in 2024. She scored 10 tries in her Test career.
Dumke’s skills and vision made her a natural fit for Sevens rugby, and she represented the Springbok Women’s Sevens team in Cape Town in 2019. In 2022, she also played in the Rugby Africa Women’s Sevens Cup in Tunisia, where South Africa defended their continental title, as well as the Cape Town event.
“Lusanda will be remembered not only as a former captain of our Springbok Women’s team, but also as a symbol of courage, leadership, and resilience far beyond her years,” SA Rugby President Mark Alexander said.
“She played the game with heart and humility, always giving everything she had for her team. Her work ethic, toughness, and selfless commitment set the standard, and she led by example every time she stepped onto the field.
“Even in the face of immense personal challenge, she carried herself with dignity and strength, inspiring those around her on and off the field. Her legacy lives on in the lives she touched, the example she set, and the pride with which she represented her team and country.
“On behalf of SA Rugby, we extend our deepest condolences to the Dumke family, loved ones, friends, and teammates on the sad passing of Lusanda. Losing someone so young to cancer is heartbreaking, and our thoughts are with all who loved and supported her through his journey. May you find strength, comfort, and peace during this difficult time.”
Funeral arrangements will be made public by the family in due course.
