Four Springbok players are expected to run out onto the field for this weekend’s Women’s Premier Division clash between the Sanlam Boland Dames and the EP Queens in Hermanus.
The weather is expected to clear-up just in time for Saturday’s exciting match, which kicks off at 15:00 on Saturday 25 May at the Hermanus High School grounds.
Thomas Chowles, the Boland Dames head coach, called on all rugby enthusiasts to come out in their numbers to support the Boland women’s rugby team in their last home game in Hermanus.
“In 2022, when the team played a match in Grabouw, we had 2 800 spectators. Let’s get behind our Sanlam Boland Dames and break that record!”
Chowles added that the main focus will be on trying to use the home advantage to reach their goal of moving up from second place on the log to the top spot.
He added: “This will be a very exciting match with our four Bok players back in the team.”
Spectators can look forward to top class rugby with experienced Springbok players Chuma Qawe, Macaela Samboya, Nomawethu Mabenge and Nompumelelo Mathe running out for the Boland Dames on Saturday.
All four have qualified for this year’s Springbok rugby team that will be competing in the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup that kicks off in England at the end of August.
Qawe, who plays at full back, wing or centre, is an experienced player who has 10 caps as a Springbok. Chowles describes her as a dynamic player who is good on defence.
Winger Nomawethu Mabenge, who will also run out for the Boland Dames on Saturday, finished this tournament as the leading point- and try-scorer – with 30 points and six tries – aided by her four-try display against Kenya. She is a star player who has been capped 17 times and has scored 70 points for the Springbok Women and was also nominated for the International Rugby Players Women’s Try of the Year award in 2022.
Maceala is described as a dynamo who has scored 20 points for the national team even though she has only four caps behind her name. She made her test debut for the Springboks in Hermanus in October 2023 in a match against Samoa. Mathe has 20 caps behind her name and has scored 25 points for the national women’s rugby team.
The Boland Dames are also looking forward to Aseza Blommie Hele’s return in a few week’s time after playing for the UK-based Harlequins.
The game between the Boland Dames and EP Queens kicks off at 15:00. Entry is free.
