Springbok Women to stick to signature style in Africa Cup final

The Springbok Women will stick to their tried and tested style when they face Kenya in the final match of the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup in Nairobi on Sunday, with some significant team changes in their final line-up pointing to that approach.

Bok Women assistant coach Laurian Johannes-Haupt said they will not divert from their approach to the game.

“We have our own style, and this team was selected with that in mind,” said Johannes-Haupt.

“We have a plan and a style we want to play tomorrow and selected accordingly. Kenya have their style and we have ours. They can play the ball wide, especially with their sevens players back in the side, while they can also play among the forwards, but that is them.”

The inclusion of experienced loosehead prop Sanelisiwe Charlie in the starting pack is one of three significant changes to the forwards, while Nombuyekezo Mdliki will start at tighthead. Flanker Sinelitha Noxeke is also back after not playing against Uganda on Wednesday, adding to the pack’s lineout and ball-carrying abilities.

In the backs, Anacadia Minnaar and Thamie Yeko will start as the halfback pairing for the first time in green and gold, but the EP Queens duo know each other well having played next to each other all season in the Pick n Pay Women’s Super League.

Jakkie Cilliers moves from the midfield to the wing, with powerhouse Aphiwe Ngwevu coming into the centres to partner Naima Hlatshwayo.

“We are in a good position in that we were able to give our youngsters a chance to play and make their debuts and that went well for us, so we now have the opportunity to select a team with players on form and some experience,” Johannes-Haupt explained.

It is now all down to execution and enjoying the moment, she said: “This is the final game for us, and we will approach it as a final as well. We will take points where available, we want to play in the right areas of the field.

“We are expecting a massive physical approach from them, it is always like that and the fact that we face them at home for the first time, will add another dimension for sure.”

Springbok Women's team to take on Kenya in Nairobi:

15 Chuma Qawe (Isuzu Bulls Daisies) – 16 caps, 7 points (1 try, 1 conversion)

14 Alichia Arries (DHL Western Province) – 4 caps, 15 points (3 tries)

13 Naima Hlatshwayo (Isuzu Bulls Daisies) – 2 caps, 5 points (1 try)

12 Aphiwe Ngwevu (Border Ladies) – 30 caps, 75 points (15 tries)

11 Jakkie Cilliers (Isuzu Bulls Daisies) – 23 caps, 134 points (10 tries, 36 conversions, 4 penalty goals)

10 Thami Yeko (EP Queens) – 2 caps, 10 points (2 tries)

9 Anacadia Minnaar (EP Queens) – 5 caps, 3 points (1 penalty goal)

8 Logan Welman (DHL Western Province) – 2 caps, 10 points (2 tries)

7 Sinelitha Noxeke (Isuzu Bulls Daisies) – 3 caps, 0 points

6 Faith Tshauke (Isuzu Bulls Daisies) – 6 caps, 25 points (5 tries)

5 Anathi Qolo (captain, Isuzu Bulls Daisies) – 13 caps, 5 points (1 try)

4 Nomsa Mokwai (DHL Western Province) – 15 caps, 0 points

3 Nombuyekezo Mdliki (Border Ladies) – 11 caps, 5 points (1 try)

2 Anushka Groenewald (DHL Western Province) – 5 caps, 0 points

1 Sanelisiwe Charlie (Isuzu Bulls Daisies) – 29 caps, 10 points (2 tries)

Replacements:

16 Roseline Botes (DHL Western Province) – 26 caps, 8 tries (40 points)

17 Xoliswa Khuzwayo (Golden Lions Women) – 11 caps, 0 points

18 Yonela Ngxingolo (Isuzu Bulls Daisies) – 41 caps, 20 points (4 tries)

19 Thandile Mazwi (DHL Western Province) – 2 caps, 5 points (1 try)

20 Nobuhle Mjwara (Sharks Women) – 5 caps, 5 points (1 try)

21 Ntsako Mbombi (Golden Lions Women) – 2 caps, 0 points

22 Mary Zulu (Sharks Women) – 17 caps, 45 points (20 conversions, 1 try)

23 Shaunique Alexander (Isuzu Bulls Daisies) – 1 cap, 5 points (1 try)

Head-to-Head: Springbok Women v Kenya

17/08/2019: Won 39-0, Brakpan

12/08/2021: Won 66-0, Stellenbosch

16/08/2021: Won 29-22, Stellenbosch

24/05/2023: Won 48-0, Antananarivo

16/09/2023: Won 77-12, Bellville

08/05/2024: Won 63-5, Antananarivo

11/06/2025: Won 19-12, Antananarivo

Match information: Springbok Women v Kenya Lionesses

Date: Sunday, 31 May 2026

Venue: RFUEA Grounds, Nairobi

Kick-off: 3pm (SA time)

Referee: Precious Pazani (Zimbabwe)

Broadcast: Rugby Africa Facebook and RugbyPass TV