South Africa rugby women’s former captain Lusanda Dumke has taken her final breaths in her home country in East London. The player was diagnosed with a rare gastric cancer and could not fight the battle much, leading to her death at the age of 29. The Proteas rugby community will mourn a big loss.
The three-time captain of the Proteas women’s rugby team, Lusanda, has won 33 caps in Tests for the Springboks and has also featured for South Africa Rugby Sevens. She was also the captain of Bull Daisies, a domestic team, and created history by leading them to three consecutive title victories from the 2023-25 season in the Women’s Premier Division.
Under Lusanda, the Border Ladies were crowned champions twice in the 2021 and 2022 Premier Division, defeating Western Province in both the finals matches. In 2022, Lusanda was named SA Rugby’s Women’s Player of the Year. The same year, she also earned the title of Eastern Cape Sports Star along with the Sportswoman of the Year title.
Lusanda, however, decided to step away from participating in any rugby tournaments after health reasons back in August. She was out of the Springbok Women’s squad for the 2025 World Cup. Her legacy will be remembered in the history of Proteas rugby.
Rugby fraternity mourns Lusanda’s loss
Following the news of her demise, SA Rugby president Mark Alexander paid tribute to the player and called her a symbol of courage, leadership, and resilience far beyond her years besides being the former captain of the Springbok Women’s team.
He also said, “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 her country.”
Meanwhile, Blue Bulls Company high performance and special projects head Thando Manana also offered his tribute to the former captain and shared the importance Lusanda had in the team and the success that she achieved at a young age.
He said, “Lusanda was more than a captain; she was the heartbeat of our Daisies team and a true inspiration to everyone at the Bulls and in South African sport. To achieve what she did by the age of 28, leading a team to a three-peat and captaining her country, is simply phenomenal.
“Her fight against cancer mirrored her toughness on the field; 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,” he also added.
