Historic SA Schools Girls squads announced

Six members from last year’s SA U18 Girls squad have been included in the first SA Schools Girls groups named by SA Rugby at the conclusion of yet another very successful FNB U18 Girls Week in Gqeberha.

It’s the first time the two SA Schools Girls squads have been named. They will face each other at Grey High School on Thursday, with the 52 selected players remaining in the Eastern Cape to prepare for this historic clash.

Isipho Dungelo (WP), Silakhe Masizana (EP), Nokulinda Makhubela (Pumas), Asive Gaqa (WP), Jessie Schoeman (WP, all SA Schools Girls), as well as Naylha Jansen (SWD, SA Schools Girls ‘A’) played for the SA SU18s against their age-group counterparts from the Netherlands last December.

“This is a truly historic occasion, and we would like to congratulate all the girls, their parents, coaches and schools on their inclusion in these squads,” said Rian Oberholzer, CEO of SA Rugby.

“The SA Schools boys’ teams have been playing for decades and to finally see two girls teams selected it a big day in the history of South African rugby. We will be following these players’ journeys with interest, and we believe it’s only a matter of time before many of them will progress to the senior national ranks.”

Western Province have the biggest representation in the two squads of 26 players each, with 15 players included.

The two squads will be coached by former Springbok Women’s players Natasha Hofmeester and Zolisa Noxeke.

Hofmeester will be assisted by Catherine Lowane at the SA Schools Girls team, while Nosipho Poswa, a former Springbok Women’s player, is Noxeke’s assistant with the SA Schools Girls ‘A’ team.

Albertus Buckle, an experienced former provincial prop, will assist both girls’ teams with their scrums, with a focus on technical proficiency, body shape, stability, and power generation to enhance set-piece performance and ensure safety.

Two respected former SA Schools coaches, Katleho Lynch and Sean Erasmus, have been brought in as mentors to the SA Schools Girls teams’ management.

SA Schools Girls squad

Props: Isipho Dungelo (WP, Sophumela High School), Lethokuhle Madwayi (WP, Curro Delft), Likhona Masiza (WP, Sophumela High School), Rethabile Kubequ (Golden Lions, Altmont Technical High School).

Hookers: Silakhe Masizana (EP, Motherwell High School), Shanelia Heugh (WP, Bellville Technical High School).

Locks: Sine Rasmeni (WP, Langa High School), Lisakhanya Kaptain (EP, Coselelani High School), Nommah Sandifolo (WP, Bosmansdam High School), Nokulinda Makhubela (Pumas, Mbuyane Secondary School).

Loose and utility forwards: Inathi Nxiweni (WP, Athlone High School), Surrender Chauke (Limpopo, Magoza Secondary School), Asive Gaqa (WP, Ned Doman High School), Inga Jim (WP, Curro Delft), Oratile Finyade (Pumas, Steelcrest High School).

Scrumhalves: Imange Norayase (Border, Similela Senior Secondary School), Charlize Langeveldt (WP, DF Akademie).

Flyhalves: Mia Kanka (WP, Rusthof High School), Alice Ncube (Golden Lions, Kwa-bhekilanga Secondary School).

Centres: Endinalo Fihla (WP, Usasazo High School), Jessie Schoeman (WP, DF Akademie), Raylee Phathakge (Pumas, Steelcrest High School).

Outside and utility backs: Liyabona Kali (Border, Hlumani Secondary School), Chariva Visagie (EP, Middelland Secondary School), Nonhlanhla Thumbuni (Blue Bulls, Nellmapius Secondary School), Anothando Mbada (EP, Motherwell High School).

SA Schools Girls ‘A’ squad

Props: Lindokuhle Mkonto (EP, Ithembelihle Comprehensive School), Thando Hlakanyana (Golden Lions, Krugersdorp High School), Limise Njoli (EP, Kwamagxaki High School), Zeyaan Majiet (WP, Manenburg High School).

Hookers: Charmaine Seodi (Limpopo, Magoza Secondary School), Aqhama Siko (SWD, Percy Mdala High School).

Locks: Kungawo Hlalukana (Border, Similela Senior Secondary School), Anomtha Mamana (Border, Eyabantu Senior Secondary School).

Loose and utility forwards: Palesa Nqadini (EP, Mzontsundu Secondary School), Liyema Ngawuliswazi (Border, Tsholomnqa High School), Mamello Motaung (Griffons, Rheederpark Combined School), Lene Joubert (Valke, Breinmeester Akademie), Natalie De Vos (EP, Middelland Secondary School).

Scrumhalves: Elihle Sontsethe (Border, Dalibaso Secondary School), Maira Hlatshwayo (Blue Bulls, Nellmapius Secondary School).

Flyhalves: Angel Nxasane (Pumas, Hoërskool Standerton), Zukhanye Roxa (Border, Eyabantu Senior Secondary School).

Centres: Endinako Higa (Griffons, St Anne Combined School), Busisiwe Wisani (Griffons, Rheederpark Combined School), Naylha Jansen (SWD, George Secondary School), Kelebohile Thate (Griffons, St Anne Combined School).

Outside and utility backs: Oratilwe Moreke (Griffons, Welkom High School), Alicia de Klerk (WP, Brackenfell High School), Charnique Brown (EP, Alexandria High School), Tatum-Joy Kaboni (SWD, George Secondary School), Buncwane Komani (Border, Bhongolethu Secondary School).

Management teams

SA Schools Girls

Head coach: Natasha Hofmeester

Assistant coach: Catherine Lowane

Scrum coach: Albertus Buckle

S&C coach: Liphiwe Nxasana

Team manager: Sindi Lukhozi

Team doctor: Lisa Coltman

Physiotherapist: Megan Chetty

Coach mentor: Katleho Lynch

SA Schools Girls 'A'

Head coach: Zolisa Noxeke

Assistant coach: Nosipho Poswa

S&C coach: Michaela Diaz

Team manager: Sharry Carolissen

Team doctor: Lisa Coltman

Physiotherapist: Nikita Ward

Coach mentor: Sean Erasmus