South African rugby has reached a watershed moment with SA Rugby announcing the first-ever SA Schools Girls squads following another outstanding FNB U18 Girls Week in Gqeberha. The selection of 52 players across two teams, SA Schools Girls and SA Schools Girls ‘A’, marks a historic leap forward for women’s rugby in the country, finally achieving parity with the boys’ structures that have existed for decades.
The two squads will make history on Thursday when they face each other at Grey High School, remaining in the Eastern Cape to prepare for what promises to be a landmark occasion in South African schoolgirl rugby. This is more than just a match, it represents the culmination of years of growth in the women’s game and the beginning of a formal pathway to Springbok Women honours.
Experience from Netherlands tour adds quality
Six members of last year’s SA U18 Girls squad that faced the Netherlands have earned selection, bringing valuable international experience to both groups. Isipho Dungelo (Western Province), Silakhe Masizana (Eastern Province), Nokulinda Makhubela (Pumas), Asive Gaqa (Western Province) and Jessie Schoeman (Western Province) have all been named in the SA Schools Girls squad, whilst Naylha Jansen (SWD) features in the SA Schools Girls ‘A’ team.
Their exposure to international competition last December provides both squads with players who understand the intensity and standards required at representative level.
CEO hails landmark moment
SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer captured the significance of the announcement perfectly. “This is a truly historic occasion, and we would like to congratulate all the girls, their parents, coaches and schools on their inclusion in these squads,” he declared.
“The SA Schools boys’ teams have been playing for decades, and to finally see two girls teams selected is a big day in the history of South African rugby. We will be following these players’ journeys with interest, and we believe it’s only a matter of time before many of them will progress to the senior national ranks.”
Western Province dominate selection
Western Province’s investment in girls’ rugby has paid handsome dividends, with 15 players selected across both squads, the highest representation of any union. Their dominance reflects the strength of schoolgirl rugby structures in the Cape, though strong contingents from Eastern Province, Border, Pumas and the other unions demonstrate the game’s nationwide growth.
Springbok Women legends take the reins
The coaching appointments underscore SA Rugby’s commitment to excellence in the girls’ game. Former Springbok Women’s players Natasha Hofmeester and Zolisa Noxeke will head coach the SA Schools Girls and SA Schools Girls ‘A’ teams respectively, bringing invaluable experience from the highest level.
Hofmeester will be assisted by Catherine Lowane, whilst Nosipho Poswa – another former Springbok Women’s star – serves as Noxeke’s assistant. Both teams will benefit from the expertise of Albertus Buckle, an experienced former provincial prop who will focus on scrum technique, body shape, stability and power generation to enhance set-piece performance whilst ensuring player safety.
Two respected former SA Schools coaches, Katleho Lynch and Sean Erasmus, have been brought in as mentors to the management teams, providing strategic guidance drawn from decades of schools rugby experience.
The squads in full
SA Schools Girls:
Props: Isipho Dungelo (WP, Sophumela High School), Lethokuhle Madwayi (WP, Curro Delft), Likhona Masiza (WP, Sophumela High School), Rethabile Kubequ (Golden Lions, Altmont Technical High School)
Hookers: Silakhe Masizana (EP, Motherwell High School), Shanelia Heugh (WP, Bellville Technical High School)
Locks: Sine Rasmeni (WP, Langa High School), Lisakhanya Kaptain (EP, Coselelani High School), Nommah Sandifolo (WP, Bosmansdam High School), Nokulinda Makhubela (Pumas, Mbuyane Secondary School)
Loose and utility forwards: Inathi Nxiweni (WP, Athlone High School), Surrender Chauke (Limpopo, Magoza Secondary School), Asive Gaqa (WP, Ned Doman High School), Inga Jim (WP, Curro Delft), Oratile Finyade (Pumas, Steelcrest High School)
Scrumhalves: Imange Norayase (Border, Similela Senior Secondary School), Charlize Langeveldt (WP, DF Akademie)
Flyhalves: Mia Kanka (WP, Rusthof High School), Alice Ncube (Golden Lions, Kwa-bhekilanga Secondary School)
Centres: Endinalo Fihla (WP, Usasazo High School), Jessie Schoeman (WP, DF Akademie), Raylee Phathakge (Pumas, Steelcrest High School)
Outside and utility backs: Liyabona Kali (Border, Hlumani Secondary School), Chariva Visagie (EP, Middelland Secondary School), Nonhlanhla Thumbuni (Blue Bulls, Nellmapius Secondary School), Anothando Mbada (EP, Motherwell High School)
SA Schools Girls ‘A’:
Props: Lindokuhle Mkonto (EP, Ithembelihle Comprehensive School), Thando Hlakanyana (Golden Lions, Krugersdorp High School), Limise Njoli (EP, Kwamagxaki High School), Zeyaan Majiet (WP, Manenburg High School)
Hookers: Charmaine Seodi (Limpopo, Magoza Secondary School), Aqhama Siko (SWD, Percy Mdala High School)
Locks: Kungawo Hlalukana (Border, Similela Senior Secondary School), Anomtha Mamana (Border, Eyabantu Senior Secondary School)
Loose and utility forwards: Palesa Nqadini (EP, Mzontsundu Secondary School), Liyema Ngawuliswazi (Border, Tsholomnqa High School), Mamello Motaung (Griffons, Rheederpark Combined School), Lene Joubert (Valke, Breinmeester Akademie), Natalie De Vos (EP, Middelland Secondary School)
Scrumhalves: Elihle Sontsethe (Border, Dalibaso Secondary School), Maira Hlatshwayo (Blue Bulls, Nellmapius Secondary School)
Flyhalves: Angel Nxasane (Pumas, Hoërskool Standerton), Zukhanye Roxa (Border, Eyabantu Senior Secondary School)
Centres: Endinako Higa (Border, Hlumani Secondary School), Busisiwe Wisani (Griffons, Rheederpark Combined School), Naylha Jansen (SWD, George Secondary School), Kelebohile Thate (Griffons, St Anne Combined School)
Outside and utility backs: Oratilwe Moreke (Griffons, Welkom High School), Alicia de Klerk (WP, Brackenfell High School), Charnique Brown (EP, Alexandria High School), Tatum-Joy Kaboni (SWD, George Secondary School), Buncwane Komani (Border, Bhongolethu Secondary School)
Management expertise across both teams
SA Schools Girls – Head coach: Natasha Hofmeester; Assistant coach: Catherine Lowane; Scrum coach: Albertus Buckle; S&C coach: Liphiwe Nxasana; Team manager: Sindi Lukhozi; Team doctor: Lisa Coltman; Physiotherapist: Megan Chetty; Coach mentor: Katleho Lynch
SA Schools Girls ‘A’ – Head coach: Zolisa Noxeke; Assistant coach: Nosipho Poswa; S&C coach: Michaela Diaz; Team manager: Sharry Carolissen; Team doctor: Lisa Coltman; Physiotherapist: Nikita Ward; Coach mentor: Sean Erasmus
Thursday’s historic clash at Grey High School represents far more than a single match. It signals the arrival of a formal pathway for South Africa’s talented schoolgirls to dream of Springbok Women honours, a journey that begins in earnest this week in the Eastern Cape.
