Key players return for Springbok W
Today at 06:14 AM
SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Springbok Women have been boosted by some key players as they gather for their fourth alignment camp of the year.
Dual international Rights Mkhari and Vainah Ubisi will join the Springbok Women training squad at the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport this week.
The Bulls Daisies lock Ubisi will attend the camp for the first time this year.
Ubisi, who has been nominated for SA Rugby Player of the Year, is recovering from knee surgery.
The lock has not played a match this year.
The versatile Mkhari just made a successful return to international rugby via the BlitzBoks Women's 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.
Mkhari represented her country at the previous Rugby World Cup in New Zealand in 2022, and played the last of her 13 Test matches in the 33-7 win over Samoa at WXV 2 in Cape Town in October 2023.
She then moved back to sevens, but she injured her knee at the HSBC SVNS in Cape Town in December 2023 and was out of rugby for the entire 2024 season.
Mkhari's successful return to top-flight rugby earned her a first call-up by the new Bok Women management under Swys de Bruin.
"I am pleased to have finished these two tournaments, as I needed that confirmation mentally and physically," Mkhari said after the Challenger Series.
"We had a disappointing end to the weekend, but now my focus will move to the training camp. I have a lot to catch up on, but I am grateful for the opportunity presented to me by the coaching staff."
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.
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 (Bulls Daisies), Chumisa Qawe (Bulls Daisies), Byrhandre Dolf (Bulls Daisies), Libbie Janse van Rensburg (Bulls Daisies), Jakkie Cilliers (Bulls Daisies), Zintle Mpupha (Bulls Daisies), Unam Tose (Bulls Daisies), Anathi Qolo (Bulls Daisies), Faith Tshauke (Bulls Daisies), Lerato Makua (Bulls Daisies), Sizophila Solontsi (Bulls Daisies), Vainah Ubisi (Bulls Daisies), Sanelisiwe Charlie (Bulls Daisies), Yonela Ngxingolo (Bulls Daisies), Micke Gunter (Bulls Daisies), Xolelwa Diliza (Bulls Daisies); Mary Zulu (Sharks Women), Tayla Kinsey (Sharks Women); Aphiwe Ngwevu (Border Ladies), Eloise Webb (Border Ladies), Nombuyekezo Mdliki (Border Ladies); Aseza Hele (Boland Dames), Veroeshka Grain (Boland Dames), Nomawethu Mabenge (Boland Dames), Maceala Samboya (Boland Dames); Azisa Mkiva, (WP Women) Nolusindiso Booi (WP Women), Nomsa Mokwai (WP Women), Alicia Willemse (WP Women); Rights Mkhari (Sevens), Nadine Roos (Sevens); Catha Jacobs (Leicester Tigers Women), Lindelwa Gwala (Ealing Trailfinders Women), Babalwa Latsha (Harlequins Women), Danelle Lochner (Harlequins Women).
SA Rugby
