She fought till the end: South African rugby loses a rare gem in Lusanda Dumke

A profound sense of loss has settled over South African rugby following the passing of former Springbok Women and Bulls Daisies captain Lusanda Dumke.

The Blue Bulls Company (BCCo) on Tuesday confirmed that the 28-year-old fiery loose forward died after a brave battle with a rare form of gastric cancer, leaving behind a legacy that far outweighs her years.

Dumke was the heartbeat of the Bulls Daisies from the very beginning and was appointed captain when the professional team was launched in 2023.

She led with quiet authority, fierce determination, and a great sense of belief in her players around her. Under her leadership, the Daisies achieved an extraordinary feat, winning three consecutive Women’s Premier Division titles, including the 2025 championship. Over the course of her career with the team, she earned 31 appearances and set standards that will shape the team for years to come.

Her influence stretched far beyond the Bulls though.

Dumke was a pillar of the Springbok Women’s team and earned 33 Test caps, while wearing the captain’s armband for her country on three occasions. She was respected not only for her physical presence on the field, but for her humility, professionalism, and deep commitment to the growth of women’s rugby in South Africa.

She stepped away from the game she loved in August this year with her franchise citing medical reasons.

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.”

Her funeral arrangements will be confirmed by her family, the Bulls announced.