Assistant coach Franzel September welcomed the experience and energy utility-forward Catha Jacobs is bringing to the fourth Springbok Women’s training camp at the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport this week.

Jacobs is the first England-based player to join the training squad this year as her club commitments with Leicester Tigers Women have been completed.

“Great to have Catha back. She’s a phenomenal player,” September said.

“She brings a different energy with all her experience from the UK. She’s a lovely and willing person for our set-up, always one that helps the players, wants to improve as well. And the variety that she brings – especially to set-piece time as the line-out jumper but not just on attack, defensively as well – we can capitalise on those experiences that she’s had in the UK.”

Jacobs, who has 19 Test caps to her name, missed a chunk of the Premiership Women's Rugby season with a hamstring injury. She is now in the final phase of recovery.

Makua, who last donned the green and gold at the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup in Madagascar in 2023, has also completed her rehabilitation after knee surgery last year.

Jacobs admitted that the first day of camp required a major adjustment.

The #BokWomen are back in camp and have been boosted by two experienced campaigners - more here: https://t.co/A0Q8DDEqQi 👍#MakeItCount #ETTIG pic.twitter.com/p5TCDa8IqO
— SA Women's Rugby (@WomenBoks) February 16, 2025

“I was training this morning, doing everything with the team and the intensity was high. The weather is a bit different than England, so it was a tough session. It was good,” she said on Monday afternoon.

The lessons from England will be passed to her Bok teammates.

“Forward-wise they play a different type of rugby that side of the world, a lot of set pieces, so skills-wise I’m bringing a lot of that back to help the team,” Jacobs said.

The Harlequins duo of Babalwa Latsha and Danelle Lochner, and Ealing Trailfinders Lindelwa Gwala are not expected back in South Africa for at least another month, nor is France-based Sinazo Mcatshulwa.

Nadine Roos, Zintle Mpupha, Alicia Willemse and Ayanda Malinga are not part of this camp as they have been called into the Springbok Women’s Sevens group for the Challenger Series.

Lusanda Dumke is injured and Chumisa Qawe has a family bereavement.

“This is our third training camp this year. We started last year to build the engine, conditioning, and now it’s alignment,” September said. “We’ve got a tour that’s coming up in April so we’re actually busy working towards that tour – it’s all part of our World Cup prep.”

The 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup takes place in England in August and September.

Springbok Women’s training camp squad: Azisa Mkiva, Luchell Hanekom, Nolusindiso Booi, Nomsa Mokwai, Roseline Botes, Logan Welman (all Western Province); Aphiwe Ngwevu, Eloise Webb, Nombuyekezo Mdliki (all Border), Anathi Qolo, Byrhandre Dolf, Patience Mokone, Dineo Ndhlovu, Libbie Janse van Rensburg, Faith Tshauke, Jakkie Cilliers, Lerato Makua, Micke Gunter, Sanelisiwe Charlie, Sizophila Solontsi, Unam Tose, Yonela Ngxingolo (all Bulls Daisies); Mary Zulu, Tayla Kinsey (both Sharks Women); Aseza Hele, Veroeshka Grain, Nomawethu Mabenge, Maceala Samboya (all Boland Dames); Catha Jacobs (Leicester Tigers Women)