Junior Springbok Women return to action in July

The Junior Springbok Women will return to action in July when they play their first matches since 2024, against a USA U20 side, with a group of players invited to Stellenbosch for a two-week alignment camp that kicked off their preparations for these historic matches.

The two matches in this historic series will be played on 17 and 24 July 2026 in Stellenbosch. The SA Under-20s last played in 2024, when they faced Tunisia, Uganda and the San Clemente Rhinos in a four-team tournament, also in Stellenbosch.

From that squad, Anushka Groenewald, Leigh Fortuin, Naima Hlatshwayo, Dineo Ndhlovu and Anuschka Ekron have been capped by the Springbok Women, while Jané Mulder is in the Springbok Women's Sevens squad.

Several of the invited group were stand-outs in the recent SA Rugby U20 Women’s Week played in Alberton and given their dominance at the tournament, it is no surprise to see Western Province with the biggest representation.

Eleven players from the WP squad that went undefeated in Alberton last month were included, while Eastern Province, who contested the final against the Cape side, have five representatives. Boland, the Golden Lions and Griquas all have four players in the squad.

The leading try-scorer in Alberton, Limpopo Blue Bulls hooker Vanessa Gabadi, is also in the squad, with her six tries in three matches clearly catching the eye of the selectors.

Julene Haas (EP Queens), Siphumelele Mdlalose (Golden Lions) and Tereské Kabuika (Sanlam Boland Dames) all played in the Pick n Pay Women's Super League earlier in the season.

The FNB Varsity Cup also delivered playing opportunities and exposure, with Erin Prins (UP-Tuks), Sesethu Dumke (Maties), and Iviwe Jonas (UWC) all invited to attend the camp.

The experienced Bafana Nhleko, one of the coaches in SA Rugby’s Mobi-Unit, oversees the camp, while SA Rugby hopes to finalise the appointment process of a head coach for the Junior Springbok Women in due course.

Junior Springbok Women training squad

Sesethu Dumke, Anothando Khatshwa, Iviwe Jonas, Juan-Mari du Plessis, Jada Maree Davids, Kaylee Daniels, Davedine March, Ronecia Gordon, Tammlyn Paulse, Yaneliswa Plaatjie, Anita Fazi (all Western Province); Karabo Rabekane, Vanessa Gabadi (both Limpopo Blue Bulls); Alutha Ngcezula, Thabisile Zungu, Chris Ross, Siphumelele Mdlalose (all Golden Lions); Siviwe Appie, Chuma Isaac, Julene Haas, Yamkela Funani, Shanice Scholtz (all Eastern Province); Amoray Fortuin, Thabo Baninzi, Tereské Kabuika, Hayley Hardneck (all Boland), Nonkosi Ngema, Angel Jaar, Inathi Majingu, Kutlwano Machakela (all Griquas), Buhle Mxoli (Border), Itumeleng Malala, Erin Prins, Georgia Lee (all Blue Bulls), Asanda Mnyandu (Sharks), Joy Ahatou Ngozi (Free State).