By Francois de Wet
After helping the Sanlam Boland Dames get to within one away from reaching the Women’s Premier Division Rugby competition captain Aseza Hele, Veroeshka Grain, Nomawethu Mabenge, and Maceala Samboya will this week put all their focus into pushing for spots in South Africa’s Women’s Rugby World Cup squad.
The Springbok Women gathered on Monday for a World Cup training group at the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport.
It is the national team’s fourth alignment camp ahead of this year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup taking place in England from 22 August to 27 September.
Of the four Sanlam Boland Dames at this week’s alignment camp hard-working flanker and team captain Hele and outside back Mabenge has had the honour of representing their country at the previous Women’s Rugby World Cup held in New Zealand in 2022.
Hele will especially be determined to add to her 25 caps later on this year while Mabenge is one of the most lethal strikers in terms of try-scoring for the Bok Women with 14 five-pointers in 18 Tests.
Dual-code Springbok Grain and rookie Samboya will also look to put their hands up at this week’s camp before heading back to training with the Sanlam Boland Dames where the Wellington based side will take on Western Province Women in a do-or-die clash on 22 March at City Park Stadium in Athlone for a place in the WPD Grand Final.
Meanwhile, dual international Rights Mkhari will join the Springbok Women training squad at the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport this week for their fourth alignment camp of the year.
The versatile Mkhari just made a successful return to international rugby via the Springbok Women’s Sevens team at the World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger tournaments in Cape Town over the last two weekends, where South Africa finished third and second respectively.
A number of regulars at earlier camps this year will be absent from the week-long gathering, which kicks off in Stellenbosch on Monday. Luchell Hanekom, Roseline Botes, Nobuhle Mjwara and Lusanda Dumke are all out injured.
Vainah Ubisi, who is recovering from knee surgery, will attend the camp for the first time this year.
Four of the five overseas-based Boks are back with their teammates. Catha Jacobs (Leicester Tigers Women), Lindelwa Gwala (Ealing Trailfinders Women), Babalwa Latsha and Danelle Lochner (Harlequins Women) have completed their club commitments abroad, with only Sinazo Mcatshulwa still playing in France.
Springbok Women training squad: Ayanda Malinga, Chumisa Qawe, Byrhandre Dolf, Libbie Janse van Rensburg, Jakkie Cilliers, Zintle Mpupha, Unam Tose, Anathi Qolo, Faith Tshauke, Lerato Makua, Sizophila Solontsi, Vainah Ubisi, Sanelisiwe Charlie, Yonela Ngxingolo, Micke Gunter, Xolelwa Diliza (all Bulls Daisies); Mary Zulu, Tayla Kinsey (both Sharks Women); Aphiwe Ngwevu, Eloise Webb, Nombuyekezo Mdliki (all Border Ladies); Aseza Hele, Veroeshka Grain, Nomawethu Mabenge, Maceala Samboya (all Sanlam Boland Dames); Azisa Mkiva, Nolusindiso Booi, Nomsa Mokwai, Alicia Willemse (all DHL Western Province); Rights Mkhari, Nadine Roos (both Sevens); Catha Jacobs (Leicester Tigers Women), Lindelwa Gwala (Ealing Trailfinders Women), Babalwa Latsha, Danelle Lochner (both Harlequins Women).