Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Bok women begin World Cup preparations
SPRINGBOK Women’s coach Stanley Raubenheimer has invited a group of 33 players to the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport, where they assemble for the first time this year to continue their preparation ahead of the World Cup.
The third phase of the Springbok Women’s 18-month World Cup planning campaign begins tomorrow. The global showpiece will take place in New Zealand – a major moment for the sport as it will mark the first time the women’s edition will be held in the southern hemisphere.
South Africa will play France in the tournament’s opening pool game in October. They will also face England and Fiji.
The majority of the players that have been invited toured France, Wales and England in November last year. Only the Western Province duo of
Azisa Mkiva and Nokubonga Siko are yet to earn their Test caps.
Nadine Roos and Libbie Janse van Rensburg will be absent as they are recovering from injury. Zintle Mpupha and Catha Jacobs were not considered as both are playing in the English Premiership.
Raubenheimer is pleased with the preparations.
“We started with our Rugby World Cup preparations 18 months ago and this is the third phase of that, so we are well down the line already,” said Raubenheimer.
“We are fortunate to have the likes of Aseza (Hele) and Karthy (Dludla) back and we will have a close look at their fitness, as well as that of the other players, as it is one of the main focus areas of this first camp.
“There is nice collaboration in our women’s programme and there are a couple of players who are in line to play for South Africa at the Rugby World Cup
Sevens as well, which is great,” he said.
SPRINGBOK WOMEN’S TRAINING SQUAD:
Ayanda Malinga, Rights Mkhari, Rumandi Potgieter, Lerato Makua (Blue Bulls), Aseza Hele, Eloise Webb (Boland), Lusanda Dumke, Yonela Ngxingolo, Unam Tose, Asithandile Ntoyanto, Aphiwe Ngwevu (Border), Sanelisiwe Charlie, Zenay
Jordaan, Nomawethu Mabenge, Monica Mazibukwana (EP), Jacomina Cilliers (Leopards), Ziyanda Ngohlekana (SWD), Micke Gunter, Lindelwa Gwala, Tayla Kinsey, Sizophila Solontsi, Karthy Dludla, Nompumelelo Mathe (Sharks), Nolusindiso Booi, Sinazo Mcatshulwa, Donelle Snyders, Simamkele Namba, Chumisa Qawe, Roseline Botes, Babalwa Latsha, Alichia Arries, Azisa Mkiva, Nokubonga Siko (Western Province).