The Springbok Women defeated Kenya 39-0 in their last Test match in August 2019 and Raubenheimer recalled Dumke, Gwala, Eloise Webb, Zintle Mpupha, Zenay Jordaan, Sinazo Mcatshulwa, Ngxingolo and Sizophila Solontsi from that match in Brakpan to start again at the Danie Craven Stadium.
Apart from those experienced players, Raubenheimer also named seven uncapped players — Micke Gunter, Sanelisiwe Charlie, Amahle Nyoba, Lerato Makua, Ziyanda Ngohlekana, Donelle Snyders and Libbie Janse van Rensburg — on the bench as he integrates a number of new players in the squad.
“We had only two days of preparation with the new players in the squad, so we didn’t have a lot of time to integrate them yet,” he said.
“The preparations went well, and we focused on integrating the new players on how we want to play.
“We are tweaking certain aspects of our game.
“We want to change the way we use our first-phase possession, and we want to evolve our kicking game a bit more.
“Last time we played Kenya, we had a good first half, but then we struggled in the second half.
“The aim this time will be a complete 80-minute performance and to implement those changes in our playing structures.
“It will not be easy as Kenya are a tough nut to crack, and we have some new players at this level. We hope to live up to our own expectations for this one.”
Border’s Lusanda Dumke to captain Springbok Women
Image: SYDNEY SESHIBEDI/ GALLO IMAGES
Springbok Women’s coach Stanley Raubenheimer named Lusanda Dumke as captain for the squad to play Kenya in the first of two Test matches in Stellenbosch on Thursday.
The Border Ladies flanker has earned seven caps for the Springbok Women since 2018 and represented the Springbok Women’s Sevens team before leading her provincial outfit to the Premier Division title in July.
Dumke takes over the captaincy from the injured Nolusindiso Booi in a squad that will hand starting debuts to DHL Western Province wing Alichia Arries and Blue Bulls Women lock Catha Jacobs.
The match will be streamed live on Springboks.rugby.
The team differ vastly from the last Test the Springbok Women played (a 38-15 defeat to Scotland in October 2019), with only prop Yonela Ngxingolo, hooker Lindelwa Gwala, lock Nompumelelo Mathe and centre Chumisa Qawe again involved.
Border Women’s captain praises team for winning cup
The Springbok Women defeated Kenya 39-0 in their last Test match in August 2019 and Raubenheimer recalled Dumke, Gwala, Eloise Webb, Zintle Mpupha, Zenay Jordaan, Sinazo Mcatshulwa, Ngxingolo and Sizophila Solontsi from that match in Brakpan to start again at the Danie Craven Stadium.
Apart from those experienced players, Raubenheimer also named seven uncapped players — Micke Gunter, Sanelisiwe Charlie, Amahle Nyoba, Lerato Makua, Ziyanda Ngohlekana, Donelle Snyders and Libbie Janse van Rensburg — on the bench as he integrates a number of new players in the squad.
“We had only two days of preparation with the new players in the squad, so we didn’t have a lot of time to integrate them yet,” he said.
“The preparations went well, and we focused on integrating the new players on how we want to play.
“We are tweaking certain aspects of our game.
“We want to change the way we use our first-phase possession, and we want to evolve our kicking game a bit more.
“Last time we played Kenya, we had a good first half, but then we struggled in the second half.
“The aim this time will be a complete 80-minute performance and to implement those changes in our playing structures.
“It will not be easy as Kenya are a tough nut to crack, and we have some new players at this level. We hope to live up to our own expectations for this one.”
Border Women crowned national champions
The squad is: 15. Eloise Webb (Boland); 14. Veroeshka Grain (WP), 13. Zintle Mpupha (WP), 12. Chumisa Qawe (WP), 11. Alichia Arries (WP); 10. Zenay Jordaan (EP), 9. Felicia Jacobs (WP); 8. Sizophila Solontsi (Sharks), 7. Sinazo Mcatshulwa (WP), 6. Lusanda Dumke (capt, Border), 5. Catha Jacobs (Bulls), 4. Nompumelelo Mathe (Sharks), 3. Yonela Ngxingolo (Border), 2. Lindelwa Gwala (Sharks), 1. Asithandile Ntoyanto (Border). Replacements:16. Micke Gunter (Sharks), 17. Sanelisiwe Charlie (EP), 18. Amahle Nyoba (EP), 19. Lerato Makua (Bulls), 20. Ziyanda Ngohlekana (SWD), 21. Donelle Snyders (WP), 22. Libbie Janse van Rensburg (Bulls), 23. Aphiwe Ngwevu (Boland) — SA Rugby Communications
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