KNYSNA NEWS - Local Titans Rugby Club versatile backline playmaker and Sevens captain Siphenathi Yeko was once again invited to the Springbok Women's Rugby XVs training camp in Stellenbosch, held from 16 to 21 November.
The camp's central focus was player assessment and building cohesion across the programme ahead of a demanding 2026 campaign.
Head coach Swys de Bruin assembled a 42-player training group blending seasoned internationals with emerging talent as preparations intensify for the 2026 season.
The squad included 21 members of the team that represented South Africa at the recent Rugby World Cup in England, along with several promising youngsters identified at the U20 Women's Week and the Betway Women's Club Championship.
As part of a broader effort to strengthen alignment across the women's rugby pathway, De Bruin also invited seven provincial coaches to the camp. Their involvement is intended to deepen understanding of the Springbok women's structures and ensures a consistent coaching philosophy nationwide.
A career built on work ethic
Yeko's rugby journey has been defined by talent and an exceptional work ethic. Since joining the Titans Rugby Academy High Performance Programme in 2017, she has stood out as one of the region's most promising players.
Her main position is fly-half, but she can also cover scrumhalf and fullback.
She has been a regular in SA U20 and Springbok Women's Sevens training environments, gaining exposure as she climbed steadily through the national ranks.
Yeko ended the 2019 provincial season as South Africa's Leading Point-Scorer and has consistently remained among the country's top three goal-kickers and point-scorers.
In 2025, she closed off the Women's Premier Division as the Cheetah Queens' top point-scorer after joining the Free State side in January. This followed a successful professional spell in Spain with a top-tier women's club.
Her domestic career also includes impactful stints with Boland Dames and Border.
'An invaluable asset'
Titans coach Aschin Klein says Yeko's influence extends far beyond her numbers, and praises her tactical intelligence and technical ability.
"We are extremely proud of Siphenathi and are certain that she added significant value to the national training squad. Yeko is one of the very few female players capable of kicking with both feet - whether tactically, for goal kicks or even drop kicks. Her latest call-up not only highlights her individual excellence, but also reflects the continued growth of the women's programme at the Titans Rugby Club," he said.
‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’
