World Cup history makers headline Rugby Africa Sevens squad

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: There are six 2025 World Cup heroes amongst the group of 18 players invited to a South Africa Women’s Sevens training camp in Pretoria in preparation for the Rugby Africa Women’s Sevens championship.

The squad will step up preparations for the Rugby Africa Women’s Sevens championship in Nairobi, Kenya, on November 15 and 16.

Cecil Afrika, who has been part of the coaching set-up since 2023, will travel with the team as coach in place of Renfred Dazel, who is assisting BlitzBok head coach Philip Snyman in the 2025/26 HSBC SVNS preparations.

Notable invitees to the camp, which kicks off at the University of Pretoria’s HPC on Wednesday, include Zintle Mpupha, Byrhandrè Dolf, Ayanda Malinga, Lerato Makua, Faith Tshauke and Nadine Roos, who formed part of the recent Women’s World Cup in England, where the Bok Women qualified for the quarterfinals for the first time.

The group has a familiar look to it, as Shiniqwa Lamprecht, Leigh Fortuin, Simamkele Namba, Patience Mokone, Alicia Willemse and Maria Tshiremba are back, having played in the team’s last outing, the HSBC SVNS play-Off tournament held in Los Angeles in May this year.

There is also a welcome return for Liske Lategan and Shannon-Lee Windvogel, who are back after recovering from long-term injuries.

The UP-Tuks duo of Thandi Fudu and Jane Mulder were also invited to the week-long camp following their tournament-winning performances at the USSA Sevens, won by Tuks Women.

A squad of 12 players will depart for Kenya next Wednesday.

South Africa will face Zambia, Ghana and Egypt in Pool A of the tournament, where a top-two finish will be needed to continue their quest to the 2026 World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger Series.

Kenya, Tunisia, Zimbabwe and Burkina Faso contest Pool B and Uganda, Madagascar, Mauritius and Cote d’Ivoire will play in Pool C.

BlitzBoks Women’s training squad:

Forwards: Shiniqwa Lamprecht, Leigh Fortuin, Liske Lategan, Zintle Mpupha, Asisipho Plaatjies, Faith Tshauke, Lerato Makua, Thandi Fudu.

Backs: Nadine Roos, Vianca Boer, Simamkele Namba, Maria Tshiremba, Patience Mokone, Ayanda Malinga, Byrhandrè Dolf, Shannon Windvogel, Alicia Willemse, Jane Mulder.