Anathi Qolo leads Bok Women at Rugby Africa Women’s Cup

No less than nine uncapped players are included in the touring group, who will look to defend the title South Africa won in Madagascar last year. 

The tournament will take place from 23 to 31 May and the Bok Women will be in action against Uganda, Madagascar and Kenya at the RFUEA Sports Grounds.

Qolo, who captained the Isuzu Bulls Daisies to a fourth consecutive Pick n Pay Women's Super League title in April, is one of nine players who represented South Africa at the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup in England, while nine others are set to make their debuts for the Springbok Women.

There is also a return to international action for eight capped players who were not in the RWC squad last year. In total, 14 players from 2025 will make this trip to the continental showpiece of women's rugby.

Qolo captained the Bok Women to this tournament last year, and as was the case during 2025, a number of senior players will remain in Stellenbosch for strength and conditioning work. Seven other RWC participants are currently with the Springbok Women's Sevens squad, and two more are plying their trade in England.

Springbok Women head coach Swys de Bruin will not travel to Kenya but will remain in Stellenbosch to work with the conditioning group, with assistant coaches Laurian Johannes-Haupt and Franzel September taking charge of the touring squad.

"We are repeating the exercise that worked well for us last season," de Bruin explained.

"We see this tournament as a perfect opportunity to blood new players and give some capped players proper game time, while for Laurian and Franzel, these three Test matches are ideal to gain experience.

"We are playing the USA in two Tests in early July, so I want to tick all boxes as we lead into a busy 2026 season.

"The Africa Cup squad will broaden our base, some players will get more Test experience, while at the same time, I can work with a core of senior players at home to get some match detail for USA and the Black Ferns done."

De Bruin said they are also rewarding players who excelled during the Pick n Pay Women's Super League, including a couple of players who earn a recall to the national side. Amongst them are the EP Queens scrumhalf Anacadia Minnaar, who played her only two Tests against Scotland in 2019, and Alichia Arries, who was capped twice in 2021.

Four of the uncapped players, Thandile Mazwi, Abigail Smit, Logan Welman and Zethu Gcaza, are recent graduates from the SA Rugby U20 Women's Week, highlighting that pathway to the national set-up for the younger generation of players.

Springbok Women fixtures

Saturday, 23 May:

13:00 - SA v Madagascar

Wednesday, 27 May:

13:00 - SA v Uganda

Sunday, 31 May:

15:00 - SA v Kenya

Springbok Women squad

Forwards: Yonela Ngxingolo, Xoliswa Khuzwayo, Nombuyekezo Mdliki, Thandile Mazwi, Sanelisiwe Charlie, Anuschka Ekron, Roseline Botes, Anushka Groenewald, Abigail Smit, Nomsa Mokwai, Anathi Qolo, Zethu Gcaza, Nobuhle Mjwara, Faith Tshauke, Sinelitha Noxeke, Ntsako Mbombi, Logan Welman.

Backs: Insaaf Levy, Anacadia Minnaar, Mary Zulu, Thami Yeko, Aphiwe Ngwevu, Jakkie Cilliers, Naima Hlatshwayo, Nomawethu Mabenge, Alichia Arries, Shaunique Alexander, Chuma Qawe.