Health concerns have forced Springbok Women flanker and Bulls Daisies captain Lusanda Dumke to step away from rugby.
The 28-year-old loose forward, who has 33 national team Test caps and captained the Springbok Women team three times.
Springbok Women performance coach Swys de Bruin acknowledged Dumke’s importance to the national set-up and expressed full support following her decision.
“Lusanda has been pivotal for us, but we now wish her the best as she battles her medical condition. Her absence will have an impact, but at the same time, the players going to the Rugby World Cup will know that playing for your country while you are fit and strong is indeed a privilege,” De Bruin said.
Dumke is a previous winner of the SA Rugby Women’s Player of the Year award. Her leadership and resilience left a lasting mark on both the Bok Women and the Bulls Daisies.
Meanwhile, Cape Town-born Dumke won the 2022 Sports Star of the Year and Sportswoman of the Years gongs at the Eastern Cape Sport and Recreation Achievers awards ceremony.
