Nine capped Springbok Women are among the 30-player Academy squad that assembled in Somerset West on Sunday, with a two-match SA Women's 'A' tour to Brazil the endpoint of the programme later this month.
The camp, based at the Rhino Rugby facility in Somerset West, runs until Friday before the squad travels to Pretoria for a warm-up match against the Isuzu Bulls Daisies. Players then return home until 14 August, when they reassemble in Somerset West before the touring party of 26 departs for Johannesburg on 19 August and flies to Brazil the following day.
The 'A' side faces Brazil on 24 August in Brasilia and again on 29 August in São Paulo.
Notable inclusions are Luchell Hanekom, back in the programme after injury, and Mary Zulu, whose last Springbok Women appearance was at the Rugby Africa Women's Cup in Kenya earlier this year. Several members of the Junior Springbok Women squad that recently faced USA Women's U20s have also been called up.
The full Academy training squad:
Forwards (16): Anusckha Ekron*, Iviwe Jonas, Anothando Khatshwa, Jada Davids, Luchell Hanekom*, Abigail Smit*, Kaylee Daniels, Courtney Hickson, Yonelisa Plaatjie, Kaylin Heuvel (all DHL Western Province), Sino Bhengu*, Avela Gwala (both Sharks Women), Karabo Lebotsa (Isuzu Bulls Daisies), Zethu Gcaza*, Emihle Mayitshe (both Border Ladies), Yonda Nokwe (EP Queens).
Backs (14): Insaaf Levy*, Anita Fazi (both DHL Western Province), Hayley Hardneck, Chloe Adams (both Sanlam Boland Dames), Mary Zulu* (Sharks Women), Lithalethu Nombakuse, Yhadwa de Vos, Yamkela Funani (all EP Queens), Lilitha Vakalisa (Border Ladies), Thobile Msizazwe, Shaunique Alexander*, Lidene Kruger, Jakkie Cilliers* (all Isuzu Bulls Daisies), Isabella Nel (unattached).
- Denotes capped Springbok Women.