De Bruin banks on experience for Bok Women’s series against USA

Springbok Women head coach Swys de Bruin has named an exciting and experienced squad of 30 players for the two Tests against the USA in Johannesburg and Pretoria early next month.

The Tests, which are played on the same day as the Springboks’ opening two Nations Championship rounds, are scheduled for Ellis Park on 4 July, and Loftus Versfeld on 11 July.

The Springbok Women concluded their alignment camp in Stellenbosch on Friday and De Bruin expressed his satisfaction with the work done over the last two weeks.

Despite a few injury setbacks and some players only arriving this week following a compulsory rest period after their HSBC SVNS commitments, De Bruin was happy with the squad that will travel to Johannesburg on Sunday.

“This squad has not played together since last year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup but once in camp, it did not take long for us to find that synergy we had last year,” said De Bruin.

“The USA played in the Pacific Four series against New Zealand, Australia and Canada, so we expect them to have some momentum coming into this historic series in South Africa but for the last two weeks our focus was on ourselves. I am pleased to say we concluded this camp positive about the outcomes.”

In all, 22 players in the group were part of the 2025 RWC squad that made history with a quarter-final finish, while the other eight include stand-outs from the recent Rugby Africa Women’s Cup and some former internationals whose form in the domestic Pick n Pay Women’s Premier League demanded a recall to national duty.

Danelle Lochner (Harlequins) and Micke Gunter (Leicester Tigers) also rejoined following their exploits for their English clubs.

De Bruin said: “I must credit my assistant coaches, Franzel September and Laurian Johannes-Haupt, for their efforts in the last couple of weeks, while the support staff did an excellent job in making sure that we could really focus on our fundamentals and strategies during the camp. We have a couple of work-ons in Johannesburg next week but for now, we are in the space we wanted to be.”

Seven players were not considered due to injury and return to play protocols. They are Nadine Roos, Sinazo Mcatshulwa, Lindelwa Gwala, Aseza Hele, Donelle Snyders, Naima Hlatshwayo and Chumisa Qawe.

Following long-standing captain Nolusindiso Booi’s retirement last year, De Bruin said he will reveal the team’s new skipper with the team announcement for the first Test next week.

Meanwhile, the South African Rugby Union (SARU) announced on Saturday that the Test between the Springbok Women and the USA Women would be played in honour of the memory of the Walter and Albertina Sisulu.

The match is part of a double-header featuring the men’s Springboks playing England in the Nations Championship.

SARU agreed to the gesture after interacting with the Sisulu Foundation and the work it has done in the memory of two towering figures in South African history.

The legacy of “Mama Sisulu”, in particular, was being honoured by the association with the Springbok Women in their Test match against the USA.

“Mama Sisulu’s life of self-sacrificial love for her people, her unwavering fortitude and her strong leadership remains an extraordinary example for South Africa’s young women,” said Dr Allan Boesak, chairman of the Foundation.

“Her life is an inspiration for young women in their ongoing struggle to find their rightful, honoured and respected place in South African society, in every walk in life, including sports. Her compassion and determination to seek what is right, is a sustained and sustaining beacon of hope.”

Mark Alexander, president of SARU, said the Union was pleased to assist in publicising the work of the Foundation and the legacy of Walter and Albertina Sisulu, particularly the latter, in association with the national women’s team.

Dr Boesak said: “This partnership highlights the intimate relationship between sports and human upliftment, sports and human potential, sports and social justice and sports and national unity, this is something which was central to Walter’s life.

“While every sports code has its own path, SARU and the Sisulu Foundation have chosen a collaboration concentrating especially on Women’s Rugby. It is fitting, proper and natural.”

The Walter and Albertina Sisulu Foundation is a not-for-profit and non-partisan organization, whose mission is committed to advancing social justice, as such programs around education, gender-based violence and food security will receive a particular attention in this regard.

The Foundation strives for the fair treatment and equitable opportunities for all individuals and social groups, especially those who have been historically oppressed, exploited, or marginalized.

Walter & Albertina's names and legacies separately and together invoke the inspirational confidence South Africans can call upon to underpin these programs (Education, GBV and Food Security). Their names recall integrity, calm authority and authenticity that resonate strongly with the deepest and highest ideals of our nation.

It is these elements that makes this collaboration between SARU and the Sisulu Foundation to honour Walter too for his unifying capabilities.

Springbok Women squad

Props: Sanelisiwe Charlie (Isuzu Bulls Daisies) – 30 caps, 10 points (2 tries), Xoliswa Khuzwayo (Golden Lions Women) – 12 caps, 0 points, Yonela Ngxingolo (Isuzu Bulls Daisies) – 42 caps, 20 points (4 tries), Thandile Mazwi (DHL Western Province) – 3 caps, 5 points (1 try), Nombuyekezo Mdliki (Border Ladies) – 12 caps, 5 points (1 try), Babalwa Latsha (DHL Western Province) – 40 caps, 35 points (7 tries).

Hookers: Anushka Groenewald (DHL Western Province) – 6 caps, 0 points, Micke Gunter (Leicester Tigers) – 16 caps, 5 points (1 try).

Locks: Nomsa Mokwai (DHL Western Province) – 16 caps, 0 points, Danelle Lochner (Harlequins Women) – 22 caps, 10 points (2 tries), Vainah Ubisi (Isuzu Bulls Daisies) – 22 caps, 20 points (4 tries), Anathi Qolo (Isuzu Bulls Daisies) – 14 caps, 5 points (1 try).

Loose and utility forwards: Sizophila Solontsi (Isuzu Bulls Daisies) – 31 caps, 45 points (9 tries), Sinelitha Noxeke (Isuzu Bulls Daisies) – 4 caps, 0 points, Lerato Makua (Isuzu Bulls Daisies) – 19 caps, 20 points (4 tries), Faith Tshauke (Isuzu Bulls Daisies) – 7 caps, 25 points (5 tries), Catha Jacobs (Golden Lions Women) – 26 caps, 5 Points (1 try), Logan Welman (DHL Western Province) – 3 caps, 15 points (3 tries).

Scrumhalves: Anacadia Minnaar (EP Queens) – 5 caps, 3 points (1 penalty), Felicia Jacobs (Sanlam Boland Dames) – 10 caps, 15 points (3 tries), Unam Tose (Isuzu Bulls Daisies) – 29 caps, 12 points (2 tries, 1 conversion).

Flyhalves: Libbie Janse van Rensburg (Isuzu Bulls Daisies) – 30 caps, 219 points (14 tries, 55 conversions, 12 penalties, 1 drop goal), Eloise Webb (Sanlam Boland Dames) – 20 caps, 30 points (6 tries).

Centres: Aphiwe Ngwevu (Border Ladies) – 32 caps, 75 points (15 tries), Ayanda Malinga (Isuzu Bulls Daisies) – 17 caps, 80 points (16 tries).

Outside and utility backs: Maceala Samboya (Sanlam Boland Dames) – 7 caps, 20 points (4 tries), Alichia Arries (DHL Western Province) – 5 caps, 20 points (4 tries), Byrhandré Dolf (Isuzu Bulls Daisies) – 26 caps, 64 points (7 tries, 13 conversions, 1 penalty), Jakkie Cilliers (Isuzu Bulls Daisies) – 24 caps, 149 points (11 tries, 38 conversions, 6 penalties), Shaunique Alexander (Isuzu Bulls Daisies) – 2 caps, 5 points (1 try).

Springbok Women home fixtures for 2026

4 July (1.30pm) v USA – Ellis Park, Johannesburg

11 July (1.30pm) v USA – Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria

5 September (1.30pm) v Black Ferns – FNB Stadium, Johannesburg

24 October (3pm) v Ireland – Athlone Stadium, Cape Town

31 October (3pm) v Ireland – Athlone Stadium, Cape Town