Springbok Women head coach Swys de Bruin and his coaching assistants invited a group of 42 players to a weeklong alignment camp in the Western Cape, with the players arriving at the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport on Sunday.
The group consist of 21 players who represented South Africa at the Women’s Rugby World Cup in England in September, while several who excelled at the U20 Women’s Week in Johannesburg last month, have been invited to the camp.
Amongst them are Anja le Roux and Logan Welman from the victorious DHL Western Province team, with both receiving a second call-up to a senior camp.
The leading try-scorer at the tournament, Lithalethu Nombakuse (Eastern Province), was also invited for a closer look by the national coaches, as was Junior Springbok Women player Lidene Kruger (Griquas).
Two players who were named in the Dream Team after the Betway Women’s Club Championship in Alberton last month also earned call-ups. They are Van der Stel Evergreens’ Alichia Arries, who is back on the national radar having previously represented South Africa in fifteens and sevens, and Klarissa van der Linden from Pretoria Harlequins.
De Bruin said the invites to the club players and age-group players are credited to the recent pathway developments in the women’s game.
“The amount of depth and talent displayed at the U20 Week and the club champs was encouraging,” said De Bruin.
“We now have a wonderful opportunity to take a closer look at some of those stand-out players, as well as get a good understanding of their abilities amongst senior Springbok players."
“This camp will provide good insights to the coaches, but also to those players, as it will provide good learning of what is expected at the top end of the women’s game.”
De Bruin also invited seven provincial coaches to attend for the week. They are Nonkosi Sobandla (Border), Zenay Jordaan (Bulls Daisies), Claudia Francke (Griquas), Jackie Kriel (Leopards), Jean Kietzmann (Sharks), Marlize van der Merwe (SWD) and Jongi Nokwe (Western Province).
“They are closer to the new call-ups, having coached them recently, and that will help to make sure we hit the ground running,” said De Bruin.
“We have big plans for the future, and it will be very productive to have all onboard and informed of what is expected. Of course, it will be great to be reunited with the World Cup players as well, we managed to create something special, and we can just set the bar higher from here on in.”
None of the players who are part of the Springbok Women Sevens squad contesting the Rugby Africa Women’s Sevens in Nairobi this weekend will attend the camp. Nadine Roos, Zintle Mpupha, Ayanda Malinga and Byrhandré Dolf, all of whom played in the Women’s Rugby World Cup, only arrive back from Kenya on Monday afternoon and have compulsory rest days for the remainder of the week.
Springbok Women alignment camp squad: Aseza Hele (Boland), Nombuyekezo Mdliki, Eloise Webb, Aphiwe Ngwevu, Sindisiwe Mbonja, Zethu Gcaza, Lilitha Vakalisa (all Border), Sanelisiwe Charlie, Azisa Mkiva, Yonela Ngxingolo, Anathi Qolo, Vainah Ubisi, Dineo Ndhlovu, Sizophila Solontsi, Lerato Makua, Camelitha Malone, Unam Tose, Klarissa van der Linden, Libbie Janse van Rensburg, Shaunique Alexander, Jakkie Cilliers (all Bulls Daisies), Lithalethu Nombakuse (Eastern Province), Siphenathi Yeko (Free State), Xoliswa Khuzwayo, Ratidzo Gurajena (both Golden Lions), Lidene Kruger (Griquas), Sinothile Bhengu, Nobuhle Mjwara, Tayla Kinsey, Mary Zulu (all Sharks), Luchell Hanekom, Roseline Botes, Anushka Groenewald, Nomsa Mokwai, Anothando Kathswa, Abigail Smit, Thandile Mazwi, Logan Welman, Anja le Roux, Alichia Arries (all Western Province), Babalwa Latsha, Lindelwa Gwala and Sinazo Mcatshulwa (all unattached).