South Africa & Uganda name squads for WRWC qualifier

Uganda & South Africa have named their sides for the Sept 7 Women’s Rugby World Cup Qualifier at the Buffalo City Stadium in East London. South Africa are bidding to qualify for a third successive World Cup and if Uganda bests them in the series, it would be their first appearance at the Rugby World Cup.

The South Africa squad features 17 players who participated in the recent Women’s Nations Cup in Americas, including captain Mandisa Williams and playmakers Zenay Jordaan and Veroeshka Grain, and three Under 20 players who took part in their Nations Cup tournament in London.

A handful of players were also involved in Women’s Rugby World Cup Sevens 2013 in Russia at the end of June, including star player Natasha Hofmeester who makes a welcome return to the squad after work commitments ruled her out of the Nations Cup.

The squad includes a few new faces with Jacqueline Kriel, Nombasa Nagile, Asithandile Ntoyanto, Sinazo Tsawu and Nomsa Mokwai earning call-ups and will join up with the others in East London on Sunday.

South Africa:

Nolusindiso Booi (Border), Marlien Cronje (Blue Bulls), Nomathamsanqa Faleni (Eastern Province), Veroeshka Grain (Western Province), Natasha Hofmeester (Western Province), Laurian Johannes (Western Province), Zenay Jordaan (Eastern Province), Tayla Kinsey (Sharks), Jacqueline Kriel (Blue Bulls), Thantaswa Macingwana (Border), Dolly Mavumengwana (Sharks), Andrea Mentoor (Western Province), Nomsa Mokwai (Leopards), Lamla Momoti (Border), Zintle Mpupha (Border), Nombasa Nagile (Border), Nwabisa Ngxatu (Border), Zandile Nojoko (Eastern Province), Asithandile Ntoyanto (Border), Fundiswa Plaatjie (Border), Marnezelle Rabie (SWD), Daphne Scheepers (Eastern Province), Mathrin Simmers (SWD), Sinazo Tsawu (Border), Ziyanda Tywaleni (Border), Vuyolwethu Vazi (Blue Bulls), Mandisa Williams (Border), Thandi Xwetu (Blue Bulls)

Uganda:

Prossy Nakakande (Black Panthers), Loy Mbabazi (Black Panthers), Irene Bunihizi Namapii (Black Panthers), Hellen Gizamba (Black Panthers), Beatrice Atim (Entebbe Sharks), Stella Kyalikunda (Thunderbirds), Mary Nakanyike (Thunderbirds), Josephine Namayega (Black Panthers), Aalliyah Adania (Thunderbirds), Warry Nambirige (Thunderbirds), Evelyn Aweku (Thunderbirds), Christine Kizito (Thunderbirds), Fortunate Irankunda (Entebbe Whales), Mary Kyoita Nyadoi (Thunderbirds), Asha Nakityo (Thunderbirds), Mathilda Tino (Thunderbirds), Rosenburg Kanyunyuzi (Thunderbirds), Harriet Kayonjo (Thunderbirds), Rachel Kakaire Babirye (Thunderbirds), Charlotte Thereza Mudoola (Black Panthers), Brenda Kayiyi (Black Panthers), Claire Anena (Black Panthers), Helen Koyokoyo Buteme (Thurrock T-birds).