Qolo to Captain Springbok Women at Rugby Africa Women’s Cup

Anathi Qolo will lead the Springbok Women squad of 28 players to the 2026 edition of the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup in Nairobi, Kenya, which will include nine uncapped players. The squad aims to defend the title South Africa won in Madagascar last year. The tournament is scheduled to take place from 23 to 31 May, with matches against Uganda, Madagascar and Kenya at the RFUEA Sports Grounds.

Qolo, who captained the Isuzu Bulls Daisies to a fourth consecutive Pick n Pay Women’s Super League title in April, has previously represented South Africa at the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup in England. This tour will see nine other players making their debuts for the Springbok Women, alongside eight capped players returning to international action who were not in last year's RWC squad. In total, 14 players from the 2025 RWC team will participate in this event.

Springbok Women head coach Swys de Bruin will not travel to Kenya but will remain in Stellenbosch to work with a group of senior players focusing on strength and conditioning. The assistant coaches Laurian Johannes-Haupt and Franzel September will take charge of the touring squad.

De Bruin expressed that this tournament serves as an optimal opportunity to introduce new players and provide capped players with further game time. He believes these three Test matches will be beneficial for the coaches to gain experience, especially as the Springbok Women prepare for two Tests against the USA in early July.

"We see this tournament as a perfect opportunity to blood new players and give some capped players proper game time, while for Laurian and Franzel, these three Test matches are ideal to gain experience," De Bruin explained. He noted that the Africa Cup squad will broaden their base, allowing certain players to gain more Test experience while working on match details with senior players at home.

Among the players from the Pick n Pay Women’s Super League who earned a recall are Anacadia Minnaar of the EP Queens and Alichia Arries, who previously played for the national side. Four uncapped players, Thandile Mazwi, Abigail Smit, Logan Welman, and Zethu Gcaza, are notable recent graduates from the SA Rugby U20 Women’s Week.

Springbok Women fixtures (SA times):
- Saturday, 23 May: 13h00: SA v Madagascar
- Wednesday, 27 May: 13h00: SA v Uganda
- Sunday, 31 May: 15h00: SA v Kenya

Springbok Women squad:
Props: Yonela Ngxingolo, Xoliswa Khuzwayo, Nombuyekezo Mdliki, Thandile Mazwi, Sanelisiwe Charlie, Anuschka Ekron
Hookers: Roseline Botes, Anushka Groenewald
Locks: Abigail Smit, Nomsa Mokwai, Anathi Qolo, Zethu Gcaza
Loose forwards: Nobuhle Mjwara, Faith Tshauke, Sinelitha Noxeke, Ntsako Mbombi, Logan Welman
Scrumhalves: Insaaf Levy, Anacadia Minnaar
Flyhalves: Mary Zulu, Thami Yeko
Inside backs: Aphiwe Ngwevu, Jakkie Cilliers, Naima Hlatshwayo
Outside backs: Nomawethu Mabenge, Alichia Arries, Shaunique Alexander, Chuma Qawe

Travelling management: Laurian Johannes-Haupt, Franzel September, Robyn Bam, Dhavina Naidoo-Jewkes, Neda Isaacs, Naasier Parker, Thandiswa Nxomani.