The Snyman name is back in Springbok colours
Keira Snyman, the 18-year-old daughter of former Springbok André Snyman, has been included in the Junior Springbok Women squad ahead of a two-Test series against the USA Women U20 in Stellenbosch.
The versatile back, who can play on the wing or at centre, has been named as an additional player in the 30-member squad after impressing in England and the United States.
Born in Durban before growing up in the USA and England, Snyman has followed an unconventional path to South African rugby.
Her performances for invitational sevens teams last summer earned recognition from both England and USA Rugby. Having previously attended USA U18 sevens camps, she spent the majority of the past season in England, where she featured in several England U18 Women’s training camps.
She also enjoyed a successful campaign with Saracens feeder club Old Albanians, helping their Junior Saints U18 side lift both the RFU National Cup and the Hertfordshire league title.
Snyman’s call-up forms part of SA Rugby’s drive to identify and integrate overseas-based players who qualify for South Africa into the national women’s pathway.
Should she eventually graduate to the senior Springbok Women, she would have the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of her father, who earned 38 Test caps and scored 10 tries for the Springboks.
The squad also includes full Springbok Women internationals Abigail Smit and Zethu Gcaza. The pair made their senior Test debuts during the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup in Kenya earlier this year and will add valuable experience to the junior group.
Junior Springbok Women head coach Hayden Groepes believes the programme marks an important step in the growth of women’s rugby in South Africa.
“Women’s rugby in South Africa is entering a very exciting phase,” Groepes said.
“We are identifying, assessing and preparing the next generation of players who we believe can contribute to the future success of the Springbok Women’s programme.
“The focus has been on more than just selecting players. It has been about exposing them to elite standards, accelerating their development and building a sustainable pathway into senior international rugby.”
South Africa will face the USA Women U20 in two matches in Stellenbosch, where the visitors will be coached by Katie Dowty. Their squad includes Bella Vogel, who recently featured for the USA Women’s Eagles in the senior Test series against the Springbok Women.
Junior Springbok Women squad
Forwards
Iviwe Jonas, Sesethu Dumke, Anothando Khatshwa, Alutha Ngcezula, Jada Davids, Chris Ross, Vanessa Gabadi, Nonkosi Ngema, Abigail Smit, Kaylee Daniels, Zethu Gcaza, Ntokozo Gumede, Buhle Mxoli, Chuma Isaac, Palesa Matee, Yaneliswa Plaatjie, Karabo Rabekane, Kaylin Heuvel.
Backs
Asanda Mnyandu, Danica Pypers, Anita Fazi, Erin Prins, Julene Haas, Hayley Hardneck, Yamkela Funani, Ronecia Gordon, Siphumelele Mdlalose, Owami Mohuli, Shanice Scholtz, Tereské Kabuika
