Anushka Groenewald's path to the Springbok Women's jersey is one of the more compelling stories in South African rugby right now. The 21-year-old hooker only picked up a rugby ball at 17 — after 12 years of netball — and within years had suffered an ankle injury severe enough for doctors to tell her her career was over before it had really begun. She ignored that verdict, returned within four months, and is now one of the standout players in the Women's Super League and a regular in the Bok Women set-up, earning her 13th Test cap against Spain and scoring a brace against Italy in the WXV Global Series, including her first Test try off a driving maul. In this exclusive Rugby365 interview, Groenewald speaks candidly about the mental battle through injury, the pressure that comes with being part of an increasingly feared Bok Women pack, the family support keeping her grounded, and the message she has for the next generation of girls considering the sport. Worth a read for the insight it gives into the human story behind one of the Bok Women's rising stars.
From 'you'll never play again' to Springbok try-scorer: Groenewald's remarkable rise
Anushka Groenewald was told at the start of her career she'd never play rugby again after a serious ankle injury — she's now a 13-cap Springbok Women hooker with her first Test try to her name. This exclusive interview covers her comeback, the pack's growing reputation, and her call to the next generation.
Bok Women bounce back — and the coaching reshuffle is working
After the Wales hammering, the Bok Women regrouped to beat Italy for only the second time ever — co-head coach Laurian Johannes-Haupt explains how a coaching reshuffle and return to set-piece basics drove the turnaround, with Spain and Ireland still to come.
Italy to appeal Quesada ban as coach becomes first sanctioned under World Rugby's new referee-abuse process
The Italian Rugby Federation will appeal Gonzalo Quesada's two-Test ban — the first issued under World Rugby's new Match Official Abuse Sanction Process — which rules him out of Italy's Tests against Australia and the Springboks.
Hits & Misses: Scotland earn respect at Loftus, Women Boks stumble at the finish line
Scotland pushed the Boks harder than the 42-28 scoreline suggests, the Women Boks let a series win slip through ill-discipline, Will Jordan broke the All Blacks try-scoring record, and France made history in Brisbane — Wynona Louw's weekend review covers the highs and lows.
De Bruin names 49-player Springbok Women squad for packed second half of season
Swys de Bruin has named a 49-player extended Springbok Women squad for the second half of the season, which includes a Fiji tour, the Black Ferns test in Soweto, Global WXV matches in Europe against Wales, Italy and Spain, and a home series against Ireland in Cape Town.
Nations Championship Round 1: Boks set the benchmark, Japan turn heads
Louw's Nations Championship round-one review crowns the Boks as the weekend's benchmark-setters and flags Japan's Italy upset as the competition's first real surprise — while taking aim at the scheduling call that denies Japan a home fixture against Ireland.