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Cape Town - Springbok Women's coach Stanley Raubenheimer assembled a squad featuring 11 international players in Stellenbosch as the team kick off their preparations on Sunday for their first round of Test matches since the 2014 Women's Rugby Cup.
Included in the 32-member squad are four players from the 2014 showpiece, Nolusindiso Booi, Tayla Kinsey, Fundiswa Plaatjie and Thantaswa Macingwana, while seven capped Springbok Women's Sevens players, Kirsten Conrad, Nosiphiso Goda, Babalwa Latsha, Zintle Mpupha, Zinhle Ndawonde, Snenhlanhla Shozi and Eloise Webb, were also included.
The squad - which will be reduced to 28 players before their departure to Europe on October 30 - will face the UK Armed Forces in London on Friday, November 2, Wales at Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday, November 10, Spain in Villajoyosa on Saturday, November 17, and Italy in Prato on Sunday, November 25.
Several players who were members of the SA Select Women's squad that faced the British Army and the England Academy team on a three-match tour to the UK in October last year were also included.
Raubenheimer said the focus in the first few days of the camp would be to get the squad to gel on and off the field and to put the necessary structures in place.
"The most important aspects from the outset would be to develop a good rapport with the players, and to work on the basics on the training field," said Raubenheimer.
"We only have a few days to prepare for the tour, so it is important that we are able to implement the basic aspects of the game very well by the time we play our first game.
"Fortunately we will face the British Armed Forces first, which will be a good start to the tour as it will allow us to build some momentum before the first Test."
Raubenheimer added: "This tour will serve as a good yardstick to measure where we are after a few seasons out of the international arena, so while although it is a big occasion for the squad, it is important that the players enjoy their rugby as well."
Springbok Women's squad (in alphabetical order):
Nolusindiso Booi (lock), Western Province
Kirsten Conrad (flyhalf), Western Province
Karthy Dludla (lock), KZN
Lusanda Dumke (flanker), Border
Annique Geswind (hooker), Western Province
Nosiphiwo Goda (winger), Border
Lindelwa Gwala (hooker), KZN
Aseza Hele (flanker), Eastern Province
Alana-Lee Horne (utility back), Western Province
Felicia Jacobs (scrumhalf), Western Province
Charmaine Kayser (No 8), Western Province
Tayla Kinsey (scrumhalf), KZN
Babalwa Latsha (prop), Western Province
Thantaswa Macingwana (hooker), Blue Bulls
Kamohele Makoele (flanker), Free State
Ayanda Malinga (winger), Pumas
Nthabiseng Marutla (lock), Blue Bulls
Vuyolwethu Maqholo (utility back), Western Province
Sinazo Mcatshulwa (flanker), Western Province
Pennbry McNamara (hooker), Golden Lions
Katlego Moremi (prop), Blue Bulls
Zintle Mpupha (flyhalf), SA Rugby
Lihle Mzimkulu (flanker), Western Province
Zinhle Ndawonde (centre), KZN
Demi Nel (centre), Western Province
Aphiwe Ngwevu (centre), Border
Yonela Ngxingolo (prop), Border
Siyanda Pikoli (lock), Eastern Province
Fundiswa Plaatjie (scrumhalf), Border
Snenhlanhla Shozi (fullback), Border
Bernice Strydom (lock), Free State
Eloise Webb (fullback), Border
