Zulu to lead SA Women ‘A’ on historic tour to Brazil

Mary Zulu will lead an exciting mix of experienced and up-and-coming players to Brazil on Thursday when the South African Women ‘A’ squad travel to South America for two matches against Brazil ‘A’ later this month.

The squad, the first of its kind, will make the inaugural trip to Brazil as part of SA Rugby’s drive to grow the experience and depth of the national women’s team.

SA Rugby’s General Manager of High-Performance, Dave Wessels, said: “The establishment of an SA Women's ‘A’ side and the forthcoming trip to Brazil is another big step forward for women's rugby in South Africa, as it strengthens our talent pathways and builds greater depth at international level.

“This tour also opens an exciting new frontier in with our friends in Brazil. We are very grateful to them for everything they have done to make this tour a reality. It gives our players valuable exposure and expands the reach and ambition of our women’s game.”

Zulu, a member of the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup squad, is one of eight capped Springbok Women named for the trip, with the remaining squad members made up mostly of 2026 Junior Springbok Women players that played in the recent series against their age-group counterparts from the USA. The average age of the squad is just under 22 years.

Luchell Hanekom (hooker) will also provide WRWC experience as she returns from an injury that kept her out for the early part of the season.

Props Anusckha Ekron and Sino Bhengu, locks Abigail Smit and Zethu Gcaza, scrumhalf Insaaf Levy and wing Shaunique Alexander were all involved in the Bok Women’s successful Rugby Africa Women’s Cup campaign earlier this year.

The recent FNB Varsity Cup tournament also produced several players to the recent Junior Springbok Women group as well as Courtney Hickson, a utility player from Maties, who can play flanker or centre.

Furthermore, Isabella Nel, a former hockey player, has been selected as an outside back. She played provincial schools’ hockey until last year and was introduced to rugby this year in a drive by SA Rugby to recruit high-performance athletes from other sporting codes.

Nel is the first cross-code athlete to be selected from that programme being run by the High-Performance department and has been training with the Women’s Academy squad and the Junior Springbok Women in recent months.

“We have some amazing female athletes in South Africa and players such as Danelle Lochner, Zintle Mpupha and Kayla Swarts, to name but a few, have already made the transition into rugby,” said Wessels.

“Growing the women’s game is an important driver for us and we believe we can boost our programmes with female players from other codes. We’ve already held a camp with some of them and the talent is there, we just have to nurture it. It’s great to see Isabella make the squad and we’re excited to see what she can do.”

The squad will depart South Africa on Thursday. Both matches on tour will take place in Sao Paulo, on 24 and 29 August.

SA Women ‘A’ squad

Forwards: Anusckha Ekron*, Iviwe Jonas, Luchell Hanekom*, Jada Davids, Anothando Khatshwa, Abigail Smit*, Kaylee Daniels, Courtney Hickson, Yonelisa Plaatjie (all DHL Western Province), Karabo Lebotsa (Isuzu Bulls Daisies), Sino Bhengu*, Avela Gwala (both Sharks Women), Vanessa Gabadi (Limpopo Blue Bulls), Zethu Gcaza*, Emihle Mayitshe (both Border Ladies), Yonda Nokwe (EP Queens).

Backs: Insaaf Levy*, Anitha Fazi (both DHL Western Province), Mary Zulu* (captain, Sharks Women), Lithalethu Nombakuse (EP Queens), Isabella Nel (unattached), Lilitha Vakalisa (Border Ladies), Thobile Msizazwe, Camelitha Malone, Shaunique Alexander* (all Isuzu Bulls Daisies), Hayley Hardneck (Sanlam Boland Dames).

* capped Springbok Women’s players

Travelling management

Bafana Nhleko – Head Coach

Nandipa Manjezi – Team Manager

Bongiwe Nhleko – Assistant Coach

Obakeng Molopyane – Athletic Performance Coach

Dr. Lizanne Pieterse – Team Doctor

Reagan Cele – Physiotherapist