A group of 32 players assembled in Sandton on Sunday as the Springbok Women start their preparations for their highly anticipated Test against the Black Ferns at FNB Stadium on Saturday.
The Test, the first between the two sides on South African soil, forms part of a Castle Double Malt Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry double header, with the Springboks and All Blacks contesting the third Test of the series later in the afternoon.
Sixteen players from the match-23 that faced the Black Ferns in their previous encounter – in the quarter-finals of the Women’s Rugby World Cup just under a year ago in England – have been included in the squad for this historic clash.
Sanelisiwe Charlie, Micke Gunter, Danelle Lochner, Logan Welman, Unam Tose, Jakkie Cilliers and Aphiwe Ngwevu, all of whom missed the recent trip to Fiji following rest and recovery protocols, are back in the squad.
However, Nadine Roos, Sinazo Mcatshulwa, Eloise Webb and Anathi Qolo are unavailable due to injury, while Lerato Makua has been included, although she is unlikely to be fit for the Test.
Springbok Women captain Babalwa Latsha, who scored the first try against New Zealand in 2025, said is hard to believe that a year has passed since their RWC quarter-final.
“A lot has happened since, but it still feels fresh in the memory, playing New Zealand in what was such a huge occasion for us,” said Latsha. “Most of us in camp were involved in that match, so everyone is ready to have another go at them.”
Latsha said there is real excitement amongst the squad members on hosting New Zealand for the first time in a Test: “It is almost surreal to think we are only playing each other for the first time in South Africa on the occasion of a Test match in Rugby Greatest Rivalry between the Springboks and All Blacks.
“We certainly hope that this could be the start of something similar. We are slowly making our way into the top echelons of the game, which will allow us more matches against the Black Ferns. I think for both teams, to share such an occasion with their male counterparts, will be huge.”
The match-23 will be named on Thursday.
**Springbok Women training squad:**
**Forwards (18):**
Babalwa Latsha (captain, DHL Western Province) – 43 caps, 40 points (8 tries)
Xoliswa Khuzwayo (Golden Lions Women) – 14 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
Sanelisiwe Charlie (Isuzu Bulls Daisies) – 32 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
Yonela Ngxingolo (Isuzu Bulls Daisies) – 46 caps, 20 points (4 tries)
Nombuyekezo Mdliki (Border Ladies) – 15 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
Lindelwa Gwala (Sharks Women) – 40 caps, 85 points (17 tries)
Micke Gunter (Leicester Tigers) – 18 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
Anushka Groenewald (DHL Western Province) – 10 caps, 0 points
Nomsa Mokwai (DHL Western Province) – 19 caps, 0 points
Vainah Ubisi (Isuzu Bulls Daisies) – 26 caps, 35 points (7 tries)
Danelle Lochner (Harlequins Women) – 24 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
Sinelitha Noxeke (Isuzu Bulls Daisies) – 9 caps, 5 points (1 try)
Nobuhle Mjwara (Sharks Women) – 8 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
Catha Jacobs (Golden Lions Women) – 30 caps, 5 points (1 try)
Sizophila Solontsi (Isuzu Bulls Daisies) – 35 caps, 50 points (10 tries)
Aseza Hele (Sanlam Boland Dames) – 34 caps, 85 points (17 tries)
Logan Welman (DHL Western Province) – 5 caps, 25 points (5 tries)
Lerato Makua (Isuzu Bulls Daisies) – 20 caps, 20 points (4 tries)
**Backs (14):**
Unam Tose (Isuzu Bulls Daisies) – 31 caps, 17 points (3 tries, 1 conversion)
Anacadia Minnaar (EP Queens) – 8 caps, 3 points (1 penalty goal)
Felicia Jacobs (Sanlam Boland Dames) – 13 caps, 15 points (3 tries)
Libbie Janse van Rensburg (Isuzu Bulls Daisies) – 34 caps, 221 points (14 tries, 56 conversions, 12 penalty goals, 1 drop goal)
Aphiwe Ngwevu (Border Ladies) – 35 caps, 80 points (16 tries)
Shiniqwa Lamprecht (Sanlam Boland Dames) – 2 caps, 0 points
Zintle Mpupha (Isuzu Bulls Daisies) – 31 caps, 106 points (20 tries, 3 conversions)
Patience Mokone (Isuzu Bulls Daisies) – 5 caps, 20 points (4 tries)
Ayanda Malinga (Isuzu Bulls Daisies) – 19 caps, 85 points (17 tries)
Jakkie Cilliers (Isuzu Bulls Daisies) – 26 caps, 157 points (11 tries, 42 conversions, 6 penalty goals)
Maceala Samboya (Sanlam Boland Dames) – 10 caps, 25 points (5 tries)
Maria Tshiremba (Isuzu Bulls Daisies) – 1 cap, 15 points (3 tries)
Alichia Arries (DHL Western Province) – 9 caps, 25 points (5 tries)
Byrhandré Dolf (Isuzu Bulls Daisies) – 29 caps, 81 points (8 tries, 19 conversions, 1 penalty goal)
Source: Original report at SA Rugby.
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