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Eyewitness News
3 days ago
- Sport
- Eyewitness News
Bok Women's coach aiming for Rugby World Cup play-offs
JOHANNESBURG - South Africa head coach Swys de Bruin believes an experienced squad led by the Springbok women's most capped player Nolusindiso Booi can "push them towards the play-offs" of the Rugby World Cup. Booi, capped 52 times, also captained the squad at the previous tournament in New Zealand in 2022 and is one of 19 players out of the 32-player squad with previous Women's Rugby World Cup experience. South Africa, whose poor record pales into insignificance compared to the men's team who have won the global showpiece a record four times, are in Pool D for the tournament, which is being held in England and runs from 22 August to 27 September. They face a tough challenge to even progress from the pool stage with Six Nations runners-up France favourites to top it. They open their campaign against Brazil on 24 August followed by an improving Italy a week later and round it off against the French on 7 September. Booi is South Africa's most experienced Test captain, having led the side in 23 Tests, and will be backed up by vice-captain Babalwa Latsha, who has skippered the Bok Women in 14 Test matches. Booi (2010, 2014, 2022) and Tayla Kinsey (2014, 2022) are the most experienced players in the squad, which boasts a combined total of 689 Test caps. They will be missing one key player in Lusanda Dumke, the 28-year-old 33-times capped flanker will be absent owing to health concerns. All 32 players selected featured either against Spain in April, the Rugby Africa Women's Cup, the two Tests against Canada in July, or the two recent internationals against the Black Ferns XV. De Bruin said what excites him most are the combinations they will work with. "I believe that will push us towards the play-offs as we have so many options for each opponent, and that will boost our abilities," he said. "This selection is a culmination of hard work and sacrifice for the players, and I want to congratulate them. "We all know the journeys each one travelled and for most, it was not easy." Squad Forwards: Sanelisiwe Charlie (Bulls Daisies), Xoliswa Khuzwayo (Golden Lions Women), Yonela Ngxingolo (Bulls Daisies), Babalwa Latsha (unattached), Nombuyekezo Mdliki (Border Ladies), Micke Gunter (Leicester Tigers Women/ENG), Lindelwa Gwala (unattached), Luchell Hanekom (Western Province), Nolusindiso Booi (Western Province/capt), Danelle Lochner (Harlequins Women/ENG), Nomsa Mokwai (Western Province), Anathi Qolo (Bulls Daisies), Vainah Ubisi (Bulls Daisies), Aseza Hele (Boland Dames), Catha Jacobs (unattached), Lerato Makua (Bulls Daisies), Sinazo Mcatshulwa (unattached), Sizophila Solontsi (Bulls Daisies), Faith Tshauke (Bulls Daisies) Backs: Unam Tose (Bulls Daisies), Tayla Kinsey (Sharks Women), Libbie Janse van Rensburg (Bulls Daisies), Mary Zulu (Sharks Women), Zintle Mpupha (Bulls Daisies), Aphiwe Ngwevu (Border Ladies), Chumisa Qawe (Bulls Daisies), Eloise Webb (Border Ladies), Jakkie Cilliers (Bulls Daisies), Ayanda Malinga (Bulls Daisies), Maceala Samboya (Boland Dames), Byrhandré Dolf (Bulls Daisies), Nadine Roos (unattached)
IOL News
5 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Lusanda Dumke steps away from rugby: A significant loss for Bok Women
Springbok Women and Bulls Daisies loose forward Lusanda Dumke is stepping away from rugby due to a medical condition. Image: BackpagePix The Springbok Women were dealt a blow ahead of their Rugby World Cup campaign with experienced flanker Lusanda Dumke taking a breather from the game due to medical reasons. SA Rugby, without divulging more about her condition, announced on Thursday morning that Dumke, captain of the Bulls Daisies, is stepping away from rugby due to health reasons. The 28-year-old loose forward played 33 times for the Bok Women and captained the side on three occasions. Dumke, known for her abrasive style of play, also led the Pretoria side to three consecutive Women's Premier Division titles, with the last one being this past season. She would've played a pivotal role for the Springboks at the upcoming World Cup in England if she were available. However, she hasn't been part of the squads of Swys de Bruin, Bok Women performance coach, this season, which indicates that the Border player has been on the sidelines for a while. She last represented her country in 2024 in the WXV 2 tournament when she also captained the side against Australia in Cape Town. De Bruin acknowledged Dumke's importance to the national setup and expressed full support for her decision. 'Lusanda has been pivotal for us, but we now wish her the best as she battles her medical condition,' De Bruin said. 'Her absence will have an impact, but at the same time, the players going to the Rugby World Cup will know that playing for your country while you are fit and strong is indeed a privilege.'
The Citizen
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Women's Rugby World Cup blow: Springbok star to take time off due to health
Lusanda Dumke will miss this year's Women's Rugby World Cup in England after failing to recover from a health condition. The Citizen reports that SA Rugby announced earlier today that the Springbok flanker and Bulls Daisies captain will take time away from the game. While her medical condition has not been disclosed, she has asked for privacy. The 28-year-old, who has earned 33 Test caps and captained the Springbok women on three occasions, led the Bulls Daisies to their third consecutive Women's Premier Division title in 2025. Dumke was 'pivotal' for Bok women Springbok women performance coach Swys de Bruin acknowledged Dumke's importance to the national setup and expressed full support for her decision. 'Lusanda has been pivotal for us, but we now wish her the best as she battles her medical condition,' he said. 'Her absence will have an impact, but at the same time, the players going to the [Women's] Rugby World Cup will know that playing for your country while you are fit and strong is indeed a privilege.' Dumke is a previous winner of the SA Rugby Women's Player of the Year award, and her leadership and resilience left a lasting mark on both the Bok women and the Bulls Daisies. Thando Manana, the executive for women's rugby and strategic projects at the Blue Bulls Company, said: 'Lusanda has been more than just a captain, she's been the heartbeat of the Bulls Daisies. Her leadership, humility, and relentless drive have shaped the culture of this team. 'While we respect her decision to step away for health reasons, her legacy will continue to inspire every player who wears this jersey. We stand firmly behind her and wish her strength and healing in the journey ahead.' The Springbok women kick off their world cup campaign against Brazil on August 24, followed by tough fixtures against Italy (August 31) and France (September 7).
The Citizen
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Springbok women's star withdraws from rugby due to health on eve of World Cup
The former SA Rugby Women's Player of the Year has asked for privacy around her decision. Lusanda Dumke will miss out on this year's Women's Rugby World Cup in England after failing to recover from a health condition. SA Rugby announced on Thursday that the Springbok flanker and Bulls Daisies captain will take time away from the game. While her medical condition has not been disclosed, she has asked for privacy. The 28-year-old, who earned 33 Test caps and captained the Springbok women on three occasions, led the Bulls Daisies to their third consecutive Women's Premier Division title in 2025. Dumke was 'pivotal' for Bok women Springbok women performance coach Swys de Bruin acknowledged Dumke's importance to the national setup and expressed full support for her decision. 'Lusanda has been pivotal for us, but we now wish her the best as she battles her medical condition,' he said. 'Her absence will have an impact, but at the same time, the players going to the Rugby World Cup will know that playing for your country while you are fit and strong is indeed a privilege.' Dumke is a previous winner of the SA Rugby Women's Player of the Year award, and her leadership and resilience left a lasting mark on both the Bok women and the Bulls Daisies. Thando Manana, executive for women's rugby and strategic projects at the Blue Bulls Company, said: 'Lusanda has been more than just a captain, she's been the heartbeat of the Bulls Daisies. Her leadership, humility, and relentless drive have shaped the culture of this team. 'While we respect her decision to step away for health reasons, her legacy will continue to inspire every player who wears this jersey. We stand firmly behind her and wish her strength and healing in the journey ahead.' The Springbok women kick off their World Cup against Brazil on 24 August before tough fixtures against Italy (seventh) and France (fourth) in the following weeks.
The South African
6 days ago
- Health
- The South African
Springbok steps away from rugby due to health concerns
Springbok Women flanker and Bulls Daisies captain Lusanda Dumke is stepping away from rugby due to health concerns. The 28-year-old loose forward, who earned 33 Test caps and captained the Springbok Women on three occasions, led the Isuzu Bulls Daisies to their third consecutive Women's Premier Division title in 2025. Springbok Women performance coach Swys de Bruin acknowledged Dumke's importance to the national setup and expressed full support for her decision. 'Lusanda has been pivotal for us, but we now wish her the best as she battles her medical condition,' said De Bruin. 'Her absence will have an impact, but at the same time, the players going to the Rugby World Cup will know that playing for your country while you are fit and strong is indeed a privilege.' Dumke is a previous winner of the SA Rugby Women's Player of the Year award, and her leadership and resilience left a lasting mark on both the Bok Women and the Isuzu Bulls Daisies. Thando Manana, executive for women's rugby and strategic projects at the Blue Bulls Company, said: 'Lusanda has been more than just a captain, she's been the heartbeat of the Isuzu Bulls Daisies. Her leadership, humility, and relentless drive have shaped the culture of this team. 'While we respect her decision to step away for health reasons, her legacy will continue to inspire every player who wears this jersey. We stand firmly behind her and wish her strength and healing in the journey ahead.' Dumke has requested that her privacy be respected in this matter and no further comment will be made. By leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
