Future Stars Ready for Challenge as SA U18 Girls Face Incoming Dutch Tour

A strong group of 26 players will gather in Stellenbosch on Saturday as the first South African U18 Girls squad was named for two matches against a touring side from the Netherlands later this month.

The squad was chosen at the end of the U18 Elite Player Development (EPD) camp for girls, which was held in Riebeek Kasteel this week. The two matches will take place on 12 and 16 December.

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Former Springbok wing Jongi Nokwe from Western Province has been appointed as the team’s head coach, with Aneesah Adams (Maties / WP) and Lesego Malebadi (UJ / Lions) named as his assistants.

“This is a big development in our women’s programme and to see the excitement amongst the girls, and the enormous amounts of hard work they put in this week, bodes well for the future,” said Nokwe.

Captain Babalwa Latsha leads a settled Springbok Women squad, joined by Anacadia Minnaar (Pictured) and Insaaf Levy, into two WXV Global Series Tests against fifth-ranked Ireland on their first visit to South Africa, closing a bumper 2026 season before home fans at the Athlone Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday, 24 October 2026 and Saturday, 31 October 2026. All Photos: Gallo Images / SA Rugby

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“We can’t wait to get stuck in with this squad and start working towards the two matches. It’s going to be tough, but everyone involved is ready for this challenge, which is also a wonderful opportunity for the players and management alike.”

The squad will be based at the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport (SAS) and the matches will be played at Paul Roos Gymnasium’s Markötter Stadium.

SA U18 Girls Squad

Forwards

Isipho Dungelo (WP)
Masizana Orie (EP)
Likhona Masiza (WP)
Mivuyo Pawuli (WP)
Nokulinda Makhubela (Pumas)
Asive Gaqa (WP)
Chuma Isaac (EP)
Hlekane Baloyi (Bulls)
Keesha Cloete (Boland)
Ambesiwe Pontshi (Border)
Vuyiswa Ngwenya (Pumas)
Sinelizwei Rasmeni (WP)
Palesa Matee (WP)
Lindokuhle Nxawe (Border)

Backs

Danica Pypers (WP)
Likhona Dyani (EP)
Lukhanye Lolo (EP)
Nailha Jansen (SWD)
Julene Hass (EP)
Nodumiso Molusi (Lions)
Chanice Scholtz (EP)
Nadelean Leeuskieter (EP)
Nuha Levy (WP)
Coby Mentoor (WP)
Jessie Schoeman (WP)
Anitha Fazi (WP)

Original Copy: SA Rugby Communications, with editing by gsport

Main Photo Caption: Western Province won the FNB U18 Girls’ Weeks in Johannesburg this year. SA Rugby has announced a strong group of players to gather in Stellenbosch as the first ever South African U18 Girls squad was named for two matches against a touring side from the Netherlands on 12 and 16 December 2025. File Photo: Gallo Images via SA Rugby

Tags: Ambesiwe Pontshi, Aneesah Adams, Anitha Fazi, Asive Gaqa, Boland, Border, Brand South Africa, Bulls, Chanice Scholtz, Chuma Isaac, Coby Mentoor, Danica Pypers, Department of Sport Arts and Culture, DSAC, Eastern Province, EPD Camp, Girls Rugby, gsport, gsport Newsroom, gsport4girls, Hlekane Baloyi, International Girls Rugby, Isipho Dungelo, Jessie Schoeman, Jongi Nokwe, Julene Hass, Keesha Cloete, Lesego Malebadi, Likhona Dyani, Likhona Masiza, Lindokuhle Nxawe, Lions, Lukhanye Lolo, Markötter Stadium, Masizana Orie, Maties, Mivuyo Pawuli, Nadelean Leeuskieter, Nailha Jansen, Nodumiso Molusi, Nokulinda Makhubela, Nuha Levy, Palesa Matee, Paul Roos Gymnasium, Pumas, Riebeek Kasteel, SABC, SABC Sport, SAS, School Sport, Sinelizwei Rasmeni, South Western Districts, Stellenbosch Academy of Sport, Telkom, U18 Elite Player Development Camp, UJ, Vuyiswa Ngwenya, Western Province

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