By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
@GalloImages.
Former Bulls Daisies loose-forward and Springbok captain Lusanda Dumke has died at the age of 28 after a battle with a rare gastric cancer.
Dumke, SA Rugby’s Women’s Rugby Player of the Year in 2022, played 33 Tests and captained South Africa three time. She also represented the Springbok Women’s Sevens team in her career.
Born on 11 September 1996, Dumke made her provincial debut for the Border Ladies in 2015 as an 18-year-old. Her Test debut followed three years later, in 2018 against Wales in Cardiff.
She became a regular fixture in the Bok team and captained the side for the first time in 2021, against Kenya in a two-Test series in Stellenbosch. She also captained the side against Australia in 2024.
In 2022, Dumke was a member of the Springbok Women squad that participated in the Women’s Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, where she played in all three pool matches, France, Fiji and England. Her last Test was against Italy in WXV 2 in Cape Town in 2024. She scored 10 tries in her Test career.
Dumke’s skills and vision made her a natural fit for sevens rugby, and she represented Springbok Women’s Sevens team for in Cape Town in 2019. In 2022, she also played in the Rugby Africa Women’s Sevens Cup in Tunisia, where South Africa defended their continental title, as well as the Cape Town event.
“Lusanda will be remembered not only as a former captain of our Springbok Women’s team, but also as a symbol of courage, leadership, and resilience far beyond her years, “said SA Rugby president Mark Alexander.
“She played the game with heart and humility, always giving everything she had for her team. Her work ethic, toughness, and selfless commitment set the standard, and she led by example every time she stepped onto the field.
“Even in the face of immense personal challenge, she carried herself with dignity and strength, inspiring those around her on and off the field. Her legacy lives on in the lives she touched, the example she set, and the pride with which she represented his team and country.
“On behalf of SA Rugby, we extend our deepest condolences to the Dumke family, loved ones, friends, and teammates, on the sad passing of Lusanda. Losing someone so young to cancer is heartbreaking, and our thoughts are with all who loved and supported her through his journey. May you find strength, comfort, and peace during this difficult time.”
At provincial level, Dumke captained Border as well as the Isuzu Bulls Daisies to provincial titles.
Paying tribute to her, Thando Manana, head of high performance and special projects at the Bulls, described Dumke as more than a leader.
“Lusanda was the soul of our Daisies team and a true inspiration to everyone at the Bulls and across South African sport,” he said. Manana added that her fight against cancer reflected the same resilience and courage she showed throughout her playing career.
“She fought till the end. Her legacy of resilience and success will forever define this era of women’s rugby in South Africa. We have lost a precious, rare gem, and our thoughts are with her family.”