Qawe to captain SA women’s team in Madagascar
Qonce-born former Border star Chumisa Qawe will lead the Springbok women’s team in the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup this month in Madagascar, where they will play Cameroon, Kenya and Madagascar over the next two weeks.
The Western Province centre takes over from provincial teammate Nolusindiso Booi, who will miss the trip due to injury.
Qawe is part of an experienced leadership core after women’s interim head coach Louis Koen named Tayla Kinsey and Lusanda Dumke as vice-captains for the tour.
Koen said he was expanding the leadership group in the squad as they started building towards the World Cup in England in 2025.
“Best practice has shown us that teams with a strong and experienced leadership group do well at Rugby World Cups and I want to build on that,” Koen said.
“Chumisa has the leadership skills to do the job and her experience and understanding of what we want to achieve on the field gives me the confidence that she will lead the team well.”
Booi, Aseza Hele, Shaunique Hess, Eloise Webb and Aphiwe Ngwevu were all ruled out of the tour due to injury and are at various stages of their rehabilitation cycles.
Koen included Sizophila Solontsi, Zintle Mpupha, Rights Mkhari and Simamkele Namba in the tour squad .
The quartet returned to the 15s fold for the first time since the World Cup last year, having recently represented SA in their triumphant Sevens Challenger Series campaign.
Cheltenham Tigers tighthead prop Amber Schonert is the only player who has not travelled with Boks before.
The 31-year-old former weightlifter is from Durban but lives in England with her husband, Kurt, a former professional player at Richmond.
Koen also confirmed the match-day squad for their firstever clash against Cameroon.
Former Junior Springbok wing Asipe Mayaba will make her debut for the senior side.
Mayaba travelled with the team to Spain but did not play and will be the only player in the squad for the tour opener without Test experience.
“We are playing three matches in two weeks so we will have to rotate our players,” Koen said.
“Some players who started against Spain will play off the bench this time.
“But at the same time, we are building depth, while injuries also impacted selection.
“That said, this remains an exciting team that will do the country proud.”
Qawe said being handed captaincy was a humbling experience.
“I am grateful to coach Louis for handing me this opportunity to lead this fine group of players,” she said.
“I have been privileged to play with Nolusindiso over the last three to four years and saw what is required of leadership.
“I am also lucky to have strong leaders around me in the group and I am looking forward to this huge opportunity.”
The squad depart for Madagascar today.
Kickoff against Cameroon is at noon (SA time) on Saturday. Bok team to face Cameroon: 15 Byrhandre Dolf; 14 Asiphe Mayaba, 13 Chumisa Qawe (capt), 12 Zintle Mpupha, 11 Jakkie Cilliers; 10 Mary Zulu, 9 Rumandi Potgieter; 8 Lerato Makua, 7 Nompumelelo Mathe, 6 Lusanda Dumke (v-capt), 5 Danelle Lochner, 4 Sinazo Mcatshulwa, 3 Azisa Mkiva, 2 Roseline Botes, 1 Asithandile Ntoyanto. Replacements: 16 Lindelwa Gwala, 17 Sanelisiwe Charlie, 18 Yonela Ngxingolo, 19 Vainah Ubisi, 20 Rights Mkhari, 21 Unam Tose, 22 Libbie Janse van Rensburg, 23 Simamkele Namba.
Travelling reserves: 24 Amber Schonert, 25 Luchell Hanekom, 26 Sizophila Solontsi, 27 Tayla Kinsey, 28 Nomawethu Mabenge.