Swys de Bruin: First alignment camp to help build towards a crucial 2026 season

The national team will gather in Stellenbosch from 12 to 24 April as part of preparations for the upcoming Rugby Africa Women’s Cup. 

Speaking to SABC Sport, De Bruin emphasised that the camp will also play a key role in evaluating players’ fitness levels.

“The first camp of the year is always an exciting one for the coaches, as it’s our first opportunity to get everyone on the same page. We will use this camp to outline the season ahead, how we’ve structured it, and how we see each player’s role within the squad.

“But it won’t only be about discussions - we’ll also be testing fitness levels and assessing how well the players have responded to the programmes sent to them. As matches draw closer, our camps will become more specialised. For the next one, with the Africa Cup in mind, we plan to bring the forwards in earlier to establish our set phases,” said De Bruin.

De Bruin has named 10 uncapped players in his 33-player squad, including Western Province duo Logan Welman and Abigail Smit. He explained that the selections were partly influenced by injuries to key players.

“We have a few players unavailable due to injury- Libbie and Aseza, for example -while others are involved with the Sevens team. This gives us a valuable opportunity to work with new players.

“Most of them have been in previous camps but didn’t make the final squad, while a few younger players are ones we believe can become regulars,” he added.

De Bruin adds that 2026 will be a pivotal year for the Springbok Women, particularly as they prepare for a two-Test series against the United States in July.

“It’s a massive year for us. We are now ranked 10th in the world and will be competing against other top -10 nations. The Tests against the USA will be double-headers with the Springboks, so we need to hit the ground running and be sharp by then.

“Playing the Black Ferns as part of the Greatest Rivalry tour is another major boost for our brand. Sharing venues with the Springboks gives us a fantastic platform to showcase our growth. This year will be crucial in proving that our performances at last year’s World Cup are sustainable,” he expressed.