The Junior Springbok Women will face a USA Under-20 side in two historic matches in Stellenbosch on 17 and 24 July, marking their return to action after a two-year hiatus.
A group of promising players has been invited to a two-week alignment camp in Stellenbosch to prepare for the matches, which will be the South African Under-20 women’s team’s first fixtures since 2024.
The SA U20s last took to the field in 2024 when they competed in a four-team tournament in Stellenbosch against Tunisia, Uganda and the San Clemente Rhinos.
Several players from that squad have since progressed to senior national teams. Anushka Groenewald, Leigh Fortuin, Naima Hlatshwayo, Dineo Ndhlovu and Anuschka Ekron have all earned Springbok Women caps, whilst Jané Mulder has joined the Springbok Women’s Sevens squad.
The current training squad features standout performers from the recent SA Rugby U20 Women’s Week in Alberton, with Western Province providing the largest contingent. Eleven players from the WP squad, which went undefeated at the tournament last month, have been selected.
Eastern Province, who faced Western Province in the final, have five representatives in the camp. Boland, the Golden Lions and Griquas each contribute four players to the squad.
Limpopo Blue Bulls hooker Vanessa Gabadi, who topped the try-scoring charts in Alberton with six tries in three matches, has also been included.
Several players have already gained experience in senior competitions. Julene Haas (EP Queens), Siphumelele Mdlalose (Golden Lions) and Tereské Kabuika (Sanlam Boland Dames) all featured in the Pick n Pay Women’s Super League earlier this season.
The FNB Varsity Cup provided further opportunities for development, with Erin Prins (UP-Tuks), Sesethu Dumke (Maties) and Iviwe Jonas (UWC) earning selection for the camp.
Bafana Nhleko, one of the coaches in SA Rugby’s Mobi-Unit, is overseeing the camp. SA Rugby has yet to finalise the appointment of a permanent head coach for the Junior Springbok Women.
Junior Springbok Women training squad:
Western Province (11): Sesethu Dumke, Anothando Khatshwa, Iviwe Jonas, Juan-Mari du Plessis, Jada Maree Davids, Kaylee Daniels, Davedine March, Ronecia Gordon, Tammlyn Paulse, Yaneliswa Plaatjie, Anita Fazi
Limpopo Blue Bulls (2): Karabo Rabekane, Vanessa Gabadi
Golden Lions (4): Alutha Ngcezula, Thabisile Zungu, Chris Ross, Siphumelele Mdlalose
Eastern Province (5): Siviwe Appie, Chuma Isaac, Julene Haas, Yamkela Funani, Shanice Scholtz
Boland (4): Amoray Fortuin, Thabo Baninzi, Tereské Kabuika, Hayley Hardneck
Griquas (4): Nonkosi Ngema, Angel Jaar, Inathi Majingu, Kutlwano Machakela
Blue Bulls (3): Itumeleng Malala, Erin Prins, Georgia Lee
Border (1): Buhle Mxoli
Sharks (1): Asanda Mnyandu
Free State (1): Joy Ahatou Ngozi
