Rugby Africa: Do or die for Springbok Women
PREVIEW: Former Junior Springbok Women’s captain Leigh Fortuin and flanker Nobuhle Mjwara will earn their first starts for South Africa in the final match of the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup 2025 against Madagascar at Stade Makis in Antananarivo on Sunday.
The promotion of the duo, who earned their first two caps off the bench, to the starting team are not the only changes from the side that outplayed Kenya on Wednesday as the Springbok Women coaching staff also tweaked their loose trio and went back to a split of five forwards and three backs amongst the replacements.
Fortuin, who captained the SA U20s last year and represented the Springbok Women’s Sevens in 2025, will start at outside centre, with Chuma Qawe moving to the bench, while Mjwara is now part of a re-jigged loose trio.
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Faith Chauke moves from No. 8 to openside flanker for the final charge towards a fourth consecutive Rugby Africa title. Mjwara will start in the No.7 jersey, and Lerato Makua will move from flank to the back of the scrum.
Anushka Groenewald, who started the opening two matches in the No 6 jumper, moves to the bench as the replacement hooker, while Ziyanda Ngohlekana – whose last appearance for the Bok Women was in 2021 – has been included on the bench as lock cover in what could be her third Test cap.
Nomwawethu Mabenge, who missed out against Kenya when the Bok Women used only two backs on the bench, is back amongst the replacements, but Roseline Botes and Dineo Ndhlovu will not be involved on Sunday after coming off the bench against Uganda and Kenya.
Defence will be key to stop any free-flowing rugby from the hosts, Springbok Women assistant coach Franzel September said.
“We pride ourselves on our defence and will go out and show why,” said September.
“We need to stop Madagascar from getting into their rhythm and game. They love to play the ball out wide.”
September said the job is not done after two victories. Should South Africa lose and Kenya manage to beat Uganda, the title will return to Nairobi.
“We came out here with the goal to win all three matches, and there is one to go tomorrow, so the job is not done yet,” said September. “We will put all our focus and energy on doing just that come Sunday.”
Tshauke, a first-timer to Stade Makis, is expecting a loud and boisterous, as that was what she was told by her teammates who experienced the crowd on the final Sunday of the tournament in 2023 and 2024.
“We can block out that noise by focusing on the job at hand and making them play at our terms. If we stay united in our mission and job for the day, the crowd will not have an influence,” she believes.
“Madagascar plays continuous rugby and there is no time for rucks when they have the ball. We are going to need a good jump on our defence to put them under pressure when they have the ball,” Tshauke added, but made it clear that the Bok Women also have weapons to their disposal.
“We are a good set piece team, so can set up good attacking platforms and that will give forward momentum for our strong ball carriers. We have the ability to score tries through set piece and with our dangerous backs, so will use that.”
Kenya v Uganda
(Stade Makis, Antananarivo, Kick-off: 13.00; 10.00 GMT)
Teams:
Kenya: 15 Sinaida Nyachio, 14 Diana Awino, 13 Christabel Lindo, 12 Faith Livoi, 11 Yvette Okech, 10 Moreen Muritu, 9 Ann Njeri, 8 Shiela Chajira, 7 Naoi Amuguni, 6 Enid Ouma (captain), 5 Noleen Khaleyi, 4 Maureen Chebeti, 3 Natasha Emali, 2 Naomi Muhanji, 1 Jane Chanya.
Replacements: Knight Otwoma, Ivonne Khatundu, Shiela Wesa, Noami Jelagat, Nelly Chikombe, Edith Nariaka, Grace Okulu, Stella Wafula.
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.
Madagascar v South Africa
(Stade Makis, Antananarivo, Kick-off: 15.00; 14.00 SA time; 12.00 GMT)
Teams:
Madagascar: TBC
South Africa: 15 Byrhandre Dolf, 14 Simamkele Namba, 13 Leigh Fortuin, 12 Aphiwe Ngwevu, 11 Patience Mokone, 10 Mary Zulu, 9 Unam Tose, 8 Lerato Makua, 7 Nobuhle Mjwara, 6 Faith Tshauke, 5 Anathi Qolo (captain), 4 Nomsa Mokwai, 3 Nombuyekezo Mdliki, 2 Luchell Hanekom, 1 Xoliswa Khuzwayo.
Replacements: 16 Anushka Groenewald, 17 Anuchka Ekron, 18 Sinothile Bhengu, 19 Ziyanda Ngohlekana, 20 Nompumelelo Mathe, 21 Felicia Jacobs, 22 Chuma Qawe, 23 Nomawethu Mabenge
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