The Springbok Women will open their Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 campaign with a squad laden with Test and World Cup experience when they take on Brazil at Franklin’s Garden in Northampton on Sunday.
Only four players in the starting team – Byrhandrѐ Dolf (fullback), Maceala Samboya and Ayanda Malinga (wings) and Danelle Lochner (lock) – have not played in a RWC before, while Vainah Ubisi (lock) and Nombuyekezo Mdliki (prop) are the only replacements who have not played in the global showpiece before.
The remainder of the match-23 have already experienced the pressures of the Rugby World Cup.
In fact, the same midfield duo of Zintle Mpupha and Aphiwe Ngwevu, loose forward combination of Aseza Hele, Sinazo Mcatshulwa, Sizophila Solontsi and front row of Sanelisiwe Charlie, Lindelwa Gwala and Babalwa Latsha, all started in the RWC opener against France in Auckland in 2022.
The halfbacks, Nadine Roos and Libbie Janse van Rensburg, also played in that Eden Park Test, although Roos started at fullback and not scrumhalf as she will on Sunday, as did the Bok captain on that day, Nolusindiso Booi, who will again wear the number four jersey and lead her team on the field.
Catha Jacobs and Unam Tose, both on the bench in Northampton, had the same responsibilities in Auckland.
With only six of his match day squad without RWC experience, Swys de Bruin said he is expecting a measured and calculated approach from his squad against newcomers Brazil, who will be an awkward opponent.
“Yes, we have good experience in the squad, but we also selected the team for this match based on form, combinations and more importantly, the way we need to play to be successful,” said De Bruin.
“Brazil may be the lowest ranked team in the tournament, but they have every right to be here and will come with all guns blazing.
“We have focussed on our way and style of play in recent weeks and that will remain our mindset until Sunday. Of course there is a wider approach, but for us, it is all about this weekend. We need to get a strong start to this tournament and build from there.”
Booi will continue her trailblazing appearances in the Green and Gold, extending both her Test record of 52 caps, as well as that of captain (25).
Latsha (most appearances at prop), Gwala (most appearances at hooker) and Mcatshulwa (most appearances as a loose forward) will also boost personal achievements, while amongst the points’ scorers, Libbie Janse van Rensburg (209 points) and Zintle Mpupha (20 tries) can both extend their national mark in test matches.
Booi made it clear though that this will not be about the individual, but a team effort.
“The last thing we can afford in this opener is us going away from our strengths, game plan and focus,” said Booi.
“Brazil have included several of their sevens stars, and they would want a loose, unstructured game with lots of space. That is the opposite to our approach this weekend.
“We need to be measured as a unit and execute when we create opportunities. Our last match we played provided us with the proof what we are at our best when we play as a team and in our structures. So, we have a clear understanding of what we need to do.”
Booi, who will play in her fourth Rugby World Cup – having made her debut in 2010 in England – said the 2025 version will be a fitting tribute to the growth of the women’s game in that time.
“Not only the way the game grew around the world, but also in our country and this team,” she said. “We have not been this well-prepared and looked after since I can remember, so it is now our turn to justify that input and deliver performances that will elevate the game even further back home.”
Springbok Women team to play Brazil in Northampton:
15 Byrhandré Dolf – 22 caps, 37 points (7 tries, 1 conversion)
14 Maceala Samboya – 4 caps, 20 points (4 tries)
13 Zintle Mpupha – 26 caps, 106 points (20 tries, 3 conversions)
12 Aphiwe Ngwevu – 27 caps, 60 points (12 tries)
11 Ayanda Malinga – 13 caps, 65 points (13 tries)
10 Libbie Janse van Rensburg – 27 caps, 209 points (12 tries, 55 conversions, 12 penalty goals, 1 drop goal)
9 Nadine Roos – 18 caps, 35 points (5 tries, 5 conversions)
8 Aseza Hele – 28 caps, 65 points (13 tries)
7 Sinazo Mcatshulwa – 38 caps, 55 points (11 tries)
6 Sizophila Solontsi – 28 caps, 45 points (9 tries)
5 Danelle Lochner – 19 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
4 Nolusindiso Booi (captain) – 52 caps, 5 points (1 try)
3 Babalwa Latsha (vice-captain) – 36 caps, 30 points (6 tries)
2 Lindelwa Gwala – 35 caps, 75 points (15 tries)
1 Sanelisiwe Charlie – 26 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
Replacements:
16 Micke Gunter – 13 caps, 5 points (1 try)
17 Yonela Ngxingolo – 35 caps, 15 points (3 tries)
18 Nombuyekezo Mdliki – 5 caps, 0 points
19 Vainah Ubisi – 18 caps, 15 points (3 tries)
20 Lerato Makua – 15 caps, 15 points (3 tries)
21 Catha Jacobs – 22 caps, 5 points (1 try)
22 Unam Tose – 27 caps, 12 points (2 tries, 1 conversion)
23 Jakkie Cilliers – 19 caps, 106 points (9 tries, 23 conversions, 5 penalty goals)
Records:
- Nolusindiso Booi will extend her record as most capped Bok Women player. She was also captain for the 24th time, another team record.
- Booi (lock, 52), Babalwa Latsha (prop, 36), Sinazo Mcatshulwa (flanker, 38), Lindelwa Gwala (hooker, 35) will extend their records in those positions.
- Libbie Janse van Rensburg could extend the record (209) for most points in a test career for the Springbok Women.
- Zintle Mpupha could extend the record for most tries (20) in a Test career for the Springbok Women.
Rugby World Cup records:
Most RWC appearances:
- Zandile Nojoko (15)
- Lamla Momoti, Zenay Jordaan (13)
- Cebisa Kula (12)
- Nolusindiso Booi (11)
Most RWC points:
26: Zandile Njoko
Biggest win: 25-10 vs Kazakhstan, 2010
Biggest defeat: 0-75 vs England, 2022
Match information:
Date: Sunday 23 August
Venue: Franklin’s Garden, Northampton
SA Time: 15h45
Referee: Hollie Davidson (Scotland)
Assistant referees: Holly Wood (England), Jess Ling (Australia)
TMO: Ian Tempest (England)
Bunker: Rachel Horton (Australia)
TV: SuperSport
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