Baby Blues front-rower Nombuyekezo Mdliki will achieve what most rugby players can only dream of when she debuts for the Springboks in Cape Town on Saturday.
The 22-year-old prop has been named in the senior national team’s match-day 23 for their clash against Italy in the Mother City, where the Boks have been involved in a series of WXV 2 test matches.
WXV, now in its second year, is an international women’s rugby competition consisting of tiers WXV 1, WXV 2 and WXV 3.
In their two matches so far, South Africa notched up a 31-24 victory against Japan while suffering a close 26-33 loss to Australia. Now they are looking to finish on a high against the Italians.
Though Mdliki has been in the camp all tournament, she did not expect to be named among the 23 for the weekend.
“I am a bit surprised because I wasn’t part of the main squad. Now I am playing,” she said.
“It was always the dream to play for the senior Springbok team. Now my hard work has paid off.”
Mdliki becomes the latest player from Fort Hare to don the green-and-gold at senior international level. She follows in the footsteps of varsity legends like Nolusindiso Booi, Zintle Mpupha, Lamla Momoti, Nomaphelo Mayongo and Unam Tose.

Springboks assistant coach Laurian Johannes-Haupt and performance coach Swys de Bruin congratulate Fort Hare and Baby Blues prop Nombuyekezo Mdliki who will make her debut for the senior national team against Italy in Cape Town on Saturday. Photo: SA Rugby
Although her journey had not always been easy, she said it was time to “show up” and make an impact in the international arena.
Mdliki hailed Fort Hare’s rugby programme for taking her from being interested in the sport six years ago to national representative.
“I want to appreciate the ladies from Fort Hare and the coaches. Their every effort counted.
“I am not only doing this (representing the Boks) for myself; I’m doing it for my school, the people who supported me and the nation as well.”
Mdliki was quietly confident that her team could knock off the Italians, who lost 0-19 to Scotland before bouncing back to beat Wales 8-5 in a nailbiter at Athlone Stadium last week.
She said the Boks were up for the fight.
“Italy are a good team, but I don’t think they are better prepared than us. We have watched their games and I’m sure we can beat them.”
She loved every minute spent with the national team in Cape Town as everyone had been supportive.
The UFH student has also benefited immensely from the presence of Swys de Bruin, the decorated former Super Rugby mentor recently appointed by SA Rugby as the Springboks’ performance coach.
“He is a great coach; just with the patience and support he shows. He makes sure we are aligned with what should be done and when.
“I can see the progress being made. We are getting better and better.”
The goal was the 2025 Rugby World Cup, Mdliki said.
“Our new management team will make sure we are prepared. The ladies are pushing to lift the flag.”