SA U18 Girls Squad for Netherlands Series Announced

SA Rugby named a 27-player squad for the SA U18 Girls team to compete against their Dutch counterparts in an international series in Stellenbosch. The matches are set to take place on 4 and 9 December 2026. This series is a significant step in promoting the growth and development of women’s rugby in South Africa, allowing promising young female players to gain experience in high-performance environments and international competition.

Among the squad members, six players return from last year's corresponding matches: Isipho Dungelo, Likhona Masiza, Nokulinda Makhubela, Asive Gaqa, Naylha Jansen, and Jessie Schoeman. The selected players represent eight different provincial unions and have shown promise throughout their school and provincial rugby careers. Several squad members were acknowledged earlier this year when SA Rugby announced the inaugural SA Schools Girls teams after a successful FNB U18 Girls Week in Gqeberha.

Natasha Hofmeester, who led the SA Schools Girls team in July, has been appointed as head coach, supported by assistant coaches Catherine Lowane and Rumandi Potgieter. Katleho Lynch will serve as a coaching mentor for the squad.

The squad was formed from a larger pool of 53 players chosen from 34 high schools across 12 provincial unions. These players were identified through SA Rugby's age-group structures and development programs and participated in a preparatory camp in Riebeek Kasteel prior to the international series.

SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer regarded the two-match series as a valuable opportunity for the girls to experience and measure themselves against high-quality international opponents. He emphasized the hard work put in by the selected players to earn this chance and expressed excitement regarding their response to the upcoming challenge. Oberholzer highlighted that the development of women's rugby in South Africa has produced opportunities that were unavailable a few years ago, and the players in this squad are poised to contribute to an exciting future.

"The matches against the Netherlands will furnish valuable learning experiences both on and off the field, and we look forward to the team coming together during the camp and the series," concluded Oberholzer.

SA U18 Girls squad:
Props: Isipho Dungelo (Western Province), Rethabile Kubequ (Golden Lions), Likhona Masiza (Western Province), Zeyaan Majiet (Western Province).
Hookers: Silakhe Masizana (Eastern Province), Shanelia Heugh (Western Province).
Locks: Sinelizwi Rasmeni (Western Province), Lisakhanya Kaptain (Eastern Province), Nommah Sandifolo (Western Province), Nokulinda Makhubela (Pumas).
Loose forwards: Asive Gaqa (Western Province), Palesa Nqadini (Eastern Province), Inga Jim (Western Province), Oratile Finyade (Pumas), Surrender Chauke (Blue Bulls Limpopo).
Halfbacks: Imange Norayase (Border), Maira Hlatshwayo (Blue Bulls), Zusiphe Mthembu (Sharks), Angel Nxasane (Pumas).
Centres: Endinako Fihla (Western Province), Naylha Jansen (SWD), Jessie Schoeman (Western Province).
Outside backs: Liyabona Kali (Border), Alicia de Klerk (Western Province), Chariva Visagie (Eastern Province), Raylee Phathakge (Pumas), Keira Snyman (SA Rugby).