Nolusindiso Booi will captain the Springbok Women on their three-week tour to Europe.
The team’s vice-captains are Zintle Mpupha – who is also the Springbok Women’s Sevens captain – and Babalwa Latsha.
Springbok Women’s coach Stanley Raubenheimer finalised his squad of 28 players for their four-match tour on Monday, which includes clashes against the UK Armed Forces in London this Friday, Wales at Cardiff Arms Park next Saturday, Spain in Villajoyosa on Saturday, 17 November and Italy in Prato on Sunday, 25 November.
Several players in Raubenheimer’s squad boast international experience, with Booi, Tayla Kinsey, Fundiswa Plaatjie and Thantaswa Macingwana having played in the 2014 Women’s World Cup, while six players have represented the Springbok Women’s Sevens, namely Kirsten Conrad, Nosiphiwo Goda, Latsha, Mpupha, Zinhle Ndawonde and Snenhlanhla Shozi.
‘I am pleased with the quality of the team,’ said Raubenheimer. ‘There is a good mix of youth and experience, which is perfect as we start building towards something bigger and better for women’s rugby in South Africa.
‘Several players have come through the U18 to U20 structures and they now have the opportunity to show what they can do on international level, which is encouraging.’
Raubenheimer and his charges will depart for London in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
Springbok Women’s touring squad:
Nolusindiso Booi (captain, lock), Western Province
Kirsten Conrad (flyhalf), Western Province
Karthy Dludla (lock), KZN
Lusanda Dumke (flanker), Border
Annique Geswind (hooker), Western Province
Nosiphiwo Goda (winger), Border
Lindelwa Gwala (hooker), KZN
Aseza Hele (flanker), Eastern Province
Alana-Lee Horne (utility back), Western Province
Felicia Jacobs (scrumhalf), Western Province
Charmaine Kayser (No 8), Western Province
Tayla Kinsey (scrumhalf), KZN
Babalwa Latsha (prop), Western Province
Thantaswa Macingwana (hooker), Blue Bulls
Kamohele Makoele (flanker), Free State
Nthabiseng Marutla (lock), Blue Bulls
Vuyolwethu Maqholo (utility back), Western Province
Sinazo Mcatshulwa (flanker), Western Province
Pennbry McNamara (hooker), Golden Lions
Katlego Moremi (prop), Blue Bulls
Zintle Mpupha (flyhalf), SA Rugby
Zinhle Ndawonde (centre), KZN
Demi Nel (centre), Western Province
Aphiwe Ngwevu (centre), Border
Yonela Ngxingolo (prop), Border
Fundiswa Plaatjie (scrumhalf), Border
Snenhlanhla Shozi (fullback), Border
Bernice Strydom (lock), Free State
Photo: @WomenBoks/Twitter
