Rugby Africa Cup: Springbok Women with big target on their backs

PREVIEW: South Africa Women will be out to add another Rugby Africa Women’s Cup to their cabinet when the tournament kicks off this weekend at Stade Makis in Madagascar.

The Springbok Women open their campaign against Uganda on June 7, while Kenya will take on Madagascar in the second match of the day.

The action continues on Wednesday, June 11, with the final round on Sunday, June 15.

The Springbok Women might not be one of the powerhouses on the global stage. However, when it comes to Africa, the women from the southern tip dominate the continent.

Just like their football compatriots, Banyana Banyana – who have lifted the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations on several occasions – the Springbok Women have hoisted the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup three times since the tournament’s inception in 2019.

The 2020–2022 tournaments weren’t officially staged, but when the competition returned in 2023, the Springbok Women picked up right where they left off.

Aside from aiming to add a fourth title to their tally, the defending champions are also using the competition as valuable preparation for the 2025 World Cup in England.

The main focus for the Springbok Women will be building squad depth, assistant coach Franzel September told Rugby365 ahead of the tournament.

“It is important for us to have a big squad, because we can’t just have 32 players – what if there are injuries?.

“Therefore, Rugby Africa has always been part of our plans on our way to the World Cup.”

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Highlighting the healthy pathway developed in the national women’s game in recent years, the Bok Women have split their squad into two. Bafana Nhleko and September are spearheading the team, while High Performance Coach Swys de Bruin and assistant Laurian Johannes-Haupt have remained in South Africa with the rest of the squad.

First-choice players Nadine Roos, Libbie Janse van Rensburg, Zintle Mpupha, Cindy Booi, Babalwa Latsha, and Aseza Hele – just to name a few – are sitting out this competition, giving fringe players a chance to fight for a World Cup spot.

Anathi Qolo will captain a Springbok Women’s side with a combined 174 caps in their 2025 Rugby Africa Women’s Cup opener against Uganda in Antananarivo on Saturday. Three uncapped players – Patience Mokone (wing), Faith Tshauke (No. 8), and Anushka Groenewald (flank) – have been named in the starting XV for the Test at Stade Makis.

A further five uncapped players have been named on the replacements’ bench: props Anuchka Ekron and Sinothile Bhengu, lock Dineo Ndlhovu, flank 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.

Sharks Women loose forward Mjwara was part of the Springbok Women’s WXV 2 training squad last year and attended recent alignment camps.

“The squad list for the World Cup is still empty, so it is an opportunity for the youngsters,  who came through the under-20 who to prove themselves.

“We want to give them game time as well.

“A few players stayed behind to work on some individual aspects of what they need to improve.”

Excitement in the air at OR Tambo Airport in Johannesburg, Wednesday morning the 6th of June. The Springbok Women 15’s are on their way to Madagascar for the 2025 edition of the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup. pic.twitter.com/RbGcp72GHy

— Rugby Afrique (@RugbyAfrique) June 4, 2025

South Africa have had to shake off intense competition to win the last two Africa Cup tournaments – both also hosted by Madagascar – and this edition will be no different.

“Playing away from home, you can expect anything.

“We do have footage of Uganda, Kenya, and Madagascar, but overall, the focus is on ourselves.”

South Africa might not be focused on the other teams, but there is certainly a huge target on their backs.

Among the biggest threats to South Africa’s dominance are Kenya’s Lionesses. Twice runners-up in the competition, they’ve long stood in the Springboks’ shadow but now see a chance to step into the spotlight.

“Our goal is first of all to ensure we win the Africa Cup, and also to qualify for the 2029 Women’s World Cup in our long-term plan,” said assistant coach Simon Odongo.

Uganda are always known to put up a strong fight. Their coach, Charles Onen, knows his charges will have their work cut out for them as they return to the premier division of African women’s rugby.

“It’s going to be a tough contest for us, taking into consideration that all three other teams played in the WXV last year and picked up vast experience,” said head coach Charles Onen.

“South Africa have been in camp preparing for the World Cup, and their team is in better shape than before. Testing ourselves against them will be a good thing.

Kenya have also been our rivals for quite some time; we tend to throw everything at each other and have an exciting game.

And Madagascar, being at home with a big crowd to cheer them on, will also require patience from our players to deliver in pressure moments.”

Round One:

Saturday, June 7

South Africa v Uganda
(Stade Makis, Antananarivo – 13.00; 12.00 SA time; 10.00 GMT)

Predictions:

Rugby365: South Africa by 12 points

Teams:

South Africa: 15 Byrhandrѐ Dolf, 14 Simamkele Namba, 13 Chuma Qawe, 12 Aphiwe Ngwevu, 11 Patience Mokone, 10 Mary Zulu, 9 Unam Tose, 8 Faith Tshauke, 7 Lerato Makua, 6 Anushka Groenewald, 5 Anathi Qolo (captain), 4 Nomsa Mokwai, 3 Nombuyekezo Mdliki, 2 Luchell Hanekom, 1 Xoliswa Khuzwayo.
Replacements: 16 Roseline Botes, 17 Anuchka Ekron, 18 Sinothile Bhengu, 19 Dineo Ndlhovu, 20 Nobuhle Mjwara, 21 Felicia Jacobs, 22 Leigh Fortuin, 23 Nomawethu Mabenge.

Uganda:

Forwards: Doreen Mbabazi, Christine Kokoi, Jennifer Musabera, Phoebe Nakalembe, Doreen Sijali, Yvonne Najjuma, Phiona Nantogo, Hellen Acanit, Proscovia Mukyala, Peace Nemira, Cabrine Kirabo, Suzan Adong, Lydia Namabiro, Angella Nanyonjo.

Backs: Tina Akello, Sarah Nakafeero, Bushira Namutebi, Grace Nabaggala, Latifa Tiko, Mercy Atek, Comfort Angayika, Agnes Nakuya, Racheal Mufuwa, Christine Akello, Ayikoru Samiya, Juliet Nandawula, Janat Nandudu, Mastula Nambozo.

Referee: Bineta Sene (Senegal)

Madagascar v Kenya
(Stade Makis, Antananarivo – 15.00; 15.00 Kenya time; 13.00 GMT)

Predictions:

Rugby365: Kenya by 10 points

Madagascar: TBC

Kenya squad: Naomi Muhanji, Noleen Khaleyi, Knight Otwoma, Mitchelle Akinyi, Melissa Amondi, Hesla Khisa, Enid Ouma, Diana Kemunto, Gladys Makhungu, Nelly Chikombe, Sheilla Chajira, Judith Auma, Winnie Owino, Christabel Lindo, Diana Awino, Ann Njeri, Esther Juma (Impala Roans). Sinaida Nyachio, Faith Livoi, Mitchelle Alivitsa, Edith Nariaka, Naomi Amuguni, Maureen Chebet, Linet Arasa, Naomi Jelagat, Jane Chanya, Natasha Emali, Claudia Muhavi, Yvonne Khatundu (Mwamba), Mary Khavere, Zainab Mohammed, Hellen Wanjiru, Doris Kimani, Zuhura Asman, Getrude Ambeyi, Friza Anyango, Angel Salamba, Moreen Muritu, Lovinah Mijere, Maxine Abuga (Kenya Harlequins), Carol Nyamwamu, Lewin Amazimbi, Yvette Okech, Sophie Nasimiyu, Agnes Mbone, Diana Mideva, Phoebe Akinyi, Mitchelle Chillande, Juliana Achieng, Mitchelle Atieno (Northern Suburbs), Charity Nillah, Jacinta Musakali, Sheila Wesa (NYS Spades), Lawnisky Minayo, Phaustine Imbakwa (Shamberere), Grace Adhiambo, Kerina Omala, Jemima Wambui, Freshia Awin (Nakuru RFC), Lucie Amudui (Rongo) and Janet Okelo (Unattached).

Source: Rugby Africa