- South Africa Women’s 15s side have named their final squad for the 2026 Rugby Africa Women’s Cup in Nairobi, Kenya.
- The tournament is scheduled for 23 to 31 May, with the Bok Women set to face Uganda, Madagascar, and hosts Kenya Lionesses at the RFUEA Grounds on Ngong Road.
- The defending champions will be guided by assistant coaches Laurian Johannes-Haupt and Franzel September.
Nine debutants have been named in the final Springbok Women’s 15s squad for the 2026 edition of the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup in Nairobi, Kenya.
The tournament will run from 23 to 31 May, and the Bok Women will face off against Uganda, Madagascar, and the host Kenya Lionesses at the RFUEA Grounds on Ngong Road.
South Africa are the defending champions after clinching the title last year in Madagascar, and they will be going all out to retain it, led by assistant coaches Laurian Johannes-Haupt and Franzel September.
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Anathi Qolo will captain the Springbok Women squad of 28 players. She led the Isuzu Bulls Daisies to a fourth consecutive Pick n Pay Women’s Super League title in April, and is one of nine players who represented South Africa at the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup in England.
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 continent’s premier women’s rugby showcase.
Qolo skippered the Bok Women at this tournament last year as well, and just like in 2025, a number of seasoned players will stay in Stellenbosch for strength and conditioning work.
Meanwhile, 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’re repeating the formula that worked well for us last season,” De Bruin explained.
“We see this tournament as a perfect chance to blood new players and give some capped ones proper game time, while for Laurian and Franzel, these three Tests are ideal to gain experience.
“We’re playing the USA in two Tests in early July, so I want to tick all boxes as we head into a busy 2026 season.
“The Africa Cup squad will broaden our base, some players will get more Test experience, and at the same time, I can work with a core of senior players at home to nail down match details for the USA and the Black Ferns.”
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 the pathway to the national setup for the younger generation.
In the 2025 edition, the Springbok Women finished top of the table, having won all three of their matches: they beat Uganda 62-7, narrowly edged out the Kenya Lionesses 19-12, and thumped Madagascar 61-17.
Rugby Africa Women’s Cup 2026 performance division fixtures (May 21-31)
Saturday, 23 May
- 14:00: South Africa v Madagascar
- 16:00: Kenya Lionesses vs Uganda Lady Cranes
Wednesday, 27 May
- 14:00: South Africa v Uganda
- 16:00: Kenya Lionesses vs Madagascar
Sunday, 31 May
- 14:00: Uganda vs Madagascar
- 16:00: South Africa v Kenya
Rugby Africa Women’s Cup Springbok Women squad
Props:
- Yonela Ngxingolo
- Xoliswa Khuzwayo
- Nombuyekezo Mdliki
- Thandile Mazwi
- Sanelisiwe Charlie
- Anuschka Ekron
Hookers:
- Roseline Botes
- Anushka Groenewald
Locks:
- Abigail Smit
- Nomsa Mokwai
- Anathi Qolo
- Zethu Gcaza
Loose forwards
- Nobuhle Mjwara
- Faith Tshauke
- Sinelitha Noxeke
- Ntsako Mbombi
- Logan Welman
Scrumhalves
- Insaaf Levy
- Anacadia Minnaar
Flyhalves
- Mary Zulu
- Thami Yeko
Inside backs
- Aphiwe Ngwevu
- Jakkie Cilliers
- Naima Hlatshwayo
Outside backs
- Nomawethu Mabenge
- Alichia Arries
- Shaunique Alexander
- Chuma Qawe
Travelling management
- Laurian Johannes-Haupt (Assistant coach)
- Franzel September (Assistant coach)
- Robyn Bam (Analyst)
- Dhavina Naidoo-Jewkes (Team doctor)
- Neda Isaacs (Physiotherapist)
- Naasier Parker (Strength and Conditioning)
- Thandiswa Nxomani (Team manager)