Springbok Women head coach Swys de Bruin has invited Sizophila Solontsi and Nomawethu Mabenge to join a group of 36 players at a training camp in Stellenbosch next month, in preparation of the Rugby Africa Women's Cup in Kenya.
The squad will assemble from 10 May, with a final squad of 28 players to depart for Nairobi on 20 May, where they will defend the continental championship crown at the RFUEA Grounds from 23-31 May.
The Springbok Women will face Madagascar on 23 May, Uganda on 27 May and Kenya on 31 May as they start a bumper season for the team currently ranked 10th in the world.
Solontsi missed the previous camp earlier this month due to a head knock sustained in the Pick n Pay Women's Super League 1 final in Pretoria, while Mabenge was doing her rehabilitation from a knee injury in Stellenbosch, where she also trained with the Springbok Women's Sevens team. Another national sevens player, Lerato Makua, has also been invited to train with the squad.
De Bruin said the talents of the extra players are well known, and he is looking forward to their contribution to the squad.
“I was very impressed with the new players that came into camp earlier this month and keen to continue the work we have done with them,” said De Bruin.
“The new players we’ve invited will add that extra layer of intensity that we will need in Kenya next month. I hope the invited players will make it very tough for me to select the final group to travel.”
Springbok Women training squad for the Rugby Africa Women's Cup: Luchell Hanekom, Roseline Botes, Sinazo Mcatshulwa, Logan Welman*, Abigail Smit*, Thandile Mazwi*, Anothando Khatshwa*, Babalwa Latsha, Anushka Groenewald, Insaaf Levy*, Alichia Arries, Nomsa Mokwai (all DHL Western Province), Xoliswa Khuzwayo, Ntsako Mbombi* (both Golden Lions Women), Mary Zulu, Nobuhle Mjwara, Lindelwa Gwala (all Sharks Women), Nombuyekezo Mdliki, Aphiwe Ngwevu, Zethu Gcaza* (all Border Ladies), Siphenathi Yeko*, Anacadia Minnaar (both EP Queens), Nomawethu Mabenge (Sanlam Boland Dames), Sanelisiwe Charlie, Yonela Ngxingolo, Vainah Ubisi, Anathi Qolo, Faith Tshauke, Sinelitha Noxeke, Unam Tose, Jakkie Cilliers, Naima Hlatshwayo*, Chuma Qawe, Shaunique Alexander*, Sizophila Solontsi, Lerato Makua (all Isuzu Bulls Daisies).