Bok Women buzzing ahead of first match since World Cup disappointment

The Springbok Women’s team are back in action this weekend, for the first time since their fateful and disappointing appearance at last year’s Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

Since then, there have been some changes, including the departure of long-term Bok Women coach Stanley Raubenheimer – who was at the helm for four years and helped the team to some milestone victories in his final year in charge.

These milestones included beating Spain for the first time and a win against Japan on Japanese soil. However, the team could not carry the momentum forward into the World Cup.

Grouped with England and France, both ranked in the world’s top five, South Africa were always going to have a tough battle.

However, they knew that an emphatic victory against World Cup debutants Fiji would boost their chances of qualifying for the knockouts for the first time ever – as one the best third-placed teams.

Fiji did not read from the same script and upset the favoured South Africans to clinch their maiden victory on the biggest stage for women’s rugby.

The tussle against the Fijiana was also meant to serve as a canvas for the Bok women to paint a picture of their progress over the previous three years. It wasn’t to be and it ultimately cost Raubenheimer his job.

New beginnings

The team are now looking forward to their first match of 2023, and the first since that disappointment at the World Cup. 

Raubenheimer has been replaced by former Bok Men’s flyhalf Louis Koen; though it is only on an interim basis. Junior Springbok Women’s coach Laurian Johannes-Haupt has also been roped in to serve as assistant to Koen.

The South Africans kick off their tour of Spain with a tussle against Canada – who are ranked fourth in the world and nine places ahead of the Boks. The clash takes place on Saturday, 25 March. Kickoff is at 4pm, SA time.

“They are among the top sides in the world and had a very good World Cup in New Zealand,” Bok flanker Lusanda Dumke said of the Canadians. “This is the ideal way for us to start actually, as it will be a good measure for us as we start our own journey to be among the top teams in the game.”

Dumke recognises they face two challenges – the lack of competitive matches in the lead-up to the tournament in Spain and the integration of some new faces in the team.   

Koen named three uncapped players – Mary Zulu (fullback), Shaunique Hess (centre) and Danelle Lochner (lock) – in the starting team and added Byrhandré Dolf (utility back) to the bench to face Canada in Madrid.    

“We are a team with some new players, with a number of younger players and coach Louis is also bringing in new ideas,” Dumke said. “That makes it even more exciting as there is new energy. Everyone is just so keen to play and lay down a marker.”

A week after the Test against Canada, the Boks will test themselves against tournament hosts Spain – a team they beat twice in 2022. DM

The Springbok Women team to face Canada:

15. Mary Zulu – uncapped


16. Nomawethu Mabenge – 12 Tests


17. Shaunique Hess – uncapped


18. Aphiwe Ngwevu – 14 Tests


19. Jakkie Cilliers – 3 Tests


20. Libbie Janse van Rensburg – 10 Tests


21. Tayla Kinsey – 24 Tests


22. Aseza Hele – 16 Tests


23. Catha Jacobs – 9 Tests


24. Lusanda Dumke – 18 Tests


25. Danelle Lochner – uncapped


26. Nolusindiso Booi (captain) – 33 Tests


27. Babalwa Latsha – 20 Tests


28. Lindelwa Gwala – 20 Tests


29. Sanelisiwe Charlie – 5 Tests

16. Roseline Botes – 8 Tests


17. Yonela Ngxingolo – 19 Tests


18. Azisa Mkiva – 2 Tests


19. Sinazo Mcatshulwa – 17 tests


20. Nompumelelo Mathe – 9 Tests


21. Unam Tose – 13 Tests


22. Chumisa Qawe – 10 Tests


23. Byrhandré Dolf – uncapped