The green and gold caravan rolls into Madagascar this weekend, thundering like a well-oiled scrum machine, gears grinding with power, promise, and purpose.
And in the heart of Antananarivo, as the Stade Makis basks in African sunlight, a new chapter in Springbok Women’s rugby will begin — not with a whisper, but with the crack of boots on turf and the roar of ambition.
With three debutants bursting from the tunnel and five more biding their time on the bench, South Africa’s match against Uganda isn’t just the kickoff of the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup — it’s a bold gamble on youth, a tactical ruck of renewal, and a strategic maul toward the 2025 Rugby World Cup.
At the helm is Anathi Qolo, marshalling her troops with the composure of a seasoned scrumhalf and the grit of a front-rower. She becomes the 11th woman to lead the Springboks in two decades of international battle — a torchbearer carrying the flame into uncertain but fertile territory.
“The squad has been progressing and focusing on the main job, which is to retain the trophy,” Qolo said, her words weighted like a perfectly timed line-out throw.
“Our set piece has been our main focus and if we add that to our skill set in the backs, we will deliver a good performance.”
This is no experimental run. South Africa’s spine is fortified with hardened veterans — five backs who’ve tasted the fire of the World Cup cauldron, including the lethal Nomawethu Mabenge, who waits like a coiled spring on the bench. Known as The Smiling Assassin, Mabenge isn’t just a name on a team sheet; she’s a walking scoreboard, the kind of player who turns a half-chance into a highlight reel.
But it’s the new blood that has the air humming with anticipation. Wings like Patience Mokone will stretch their legs on the international stage, ready to show whether their boots can write poetry on the touchline or deliver thunder in open field.
Faith Tshauke, a bruising No. 8 with the build of a freight train and instincts to match, will anchor the scrum with youthful hunger. Anushka Groenewald, whose name has been whispered in hopeful tones around Western Province, finally gets to pull on the jersey and rattle the bones of opponents in open play.
“They’re raw,” said assistant coach Franzel September, “but they’re ready. We’re not changing the system to accommodate them. They’re here to strengthen it.”
It’s a squad built not around egos but ethos. September is clear: this isn’t a one-woman show.
“Some players will be desperate to impress with Rugby World Cup selection on the horizon,” he admitted, “but we’ll look at how players complement the system. It’s not about solo brilliance — it’s about symphonic rugby.”
Uganda, the Lady Cranes, stand ready on the other side of the ruck. They’re no strangers to physicality, and September expects them to come flying off the gain line with all the unpredictability of a bouncing rugby ball.
“They’re direct, but they’ve got flair,” he noted. “They love a quick tap. So, we’ve prepared for every angle, every bounce of the game.”
Yet history favours the Boks. In two previous meetings, South Africa piled up 152 points to Uganda’s 8. But past glories don’t win future scrums. This is a different battlefield, and this Bok squad is a different beast — a blend of seasoned muscle and fresh legs, of game-hardened wisdom and bold, untested spark.
Even in the face of late change — with Anja le Roux withdrawn and Vianca Boer stepping in from the Sevens ranks — the squad remains focused. Boer, like a utility back in a swirling backline move, must hit the ground running.
Saturday’s match in Antananarivo isn’t just about trophies or statistics. It’s a proving ground. A crucible. A chance for South African women’s rugby to tighten the bind, hit the clean-out, and set the platform for a future where every player — whether capped 17 times or still shaking off debut nerves — drives the maul forward together.
Because in this game, you don’t wait for the gap to open. You smash it open yourself — and these Boks are already winding up.
Match Details
Date: Saturday, 7 June 2025
Venue: Stade Makis, Antananarivo
Kick-off (SA Time): 12h00
Broadcast: SuperSport channel 199, Rugby Africa Facebook, Rugbypass.tv
Head-to-Head vs Uganda
- 7 Sept 2013 (East London): SA won 63-3
- 9 Aug 2019 (Brakpan): SA won 89-5
Springbok Women team to face Uganda in Antananarivo:
- ByrhandrѐDolf (Bulls Daisies) – 17 caps, 15 points (3 tries)
- Simamkele Namba (Springbok Women’s Sevens) – 11 caps, 40 points (8 tries)
- Chuma Qawe (Bulls Daisies) – 11 caps, 0 points
- Aphiwe Ngwevu (Border Ladies) – 24 caps, 40 points (8 tries)
- Patience Mokone (Bulls Daisies) – uncapped
- Mary Zulu (Sharks Women) – 12 caps, 14 points (7 conversions)
- Unam Tose (Bulls Daisies) – 23 caps, 5 points (1 try)
- Faith Tshauke (Bulls Daisies) – uncapped
- Lerato Makua (Bulls Daisies) – 10 caps, 0 points
- Anushka Groenewald (DHL Western Province) – uncapped
- Anathi Qolo (captain, Bulls Daisies) – 6 caps, 0 points
- Nomsa Mokwai (DHL Western Province) – 4 caps, 0 points
- Nombuyekezo Mdliki (Border Ladies) – 1 cap, 0 points
- Luchell Hanekom (DHL Western Province) – 4 caps, 0 points
- Xoliswa Khuzwayo (Golden Lions) – 5 caps, 0 points
Replacements:
- Roseline Botes (DHL Western Province) – 21 caps, 45 points (9 tries)
- Anuchka Ekron (DHL Western Province) uncapped
- Sinothile Bhengu (Sharks Women) – uncapped
- Dineo Ndlhovu (Bulls Daisies) – uncapped
- Nobuhle Mjwara (Sharks Women) – uncapped
- Felicia Jacobs (Sanlam Boland Dames) – 7 caps, 15 points (3 tries)
- Leigh Fortuin (DHL Western Province) – uncapped
- Nomawethu Mabenge (Sanlam Boland Dames) – 18 caps, 70 points (14 tries)
