The opportunity to play in front of family and friends is a strong incentive to deliver a performance that will be remembered by all attending their Test match against Canada at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday, but for Springbok Women captain, Nolusindiso Booi, it also offers them the chance to showcase the growth of the team as they move towards the Rugby World Cup in England next month.
Booi said they are aware of the strengths of their opponents, who outplayed them 50-20 in Pretoria last weekend, but they see that as a motivating factor, and combined by the desire to get things right, should deliver a more competitive result from the Springbok Women.
“A lot of our players in the squad have Eastern Cape roots and we all know how popular and strong the women’s game is in these areas, so we are determined to produce a special performance – something that the coaches will be happy about and that will make the country proud,” said Booi on Friday.
“They are not ranked two in the world for nothing and were clinical last week, when they exposed some of our shortcomings, so we know how tough this battle will be.”
According to the experienced Bok Women captain, who will play in a career high 52nd Test match for South Africa, they were found wanting at the breakdown area last weekend and focussed a lot on that area of play during their training sessions this week.
“We were penalised heavily at the breakdowns and that not only stopped our momentum but gave them free ball, and the opportunity to get points on the board,” she said.
“We did adapt, especially in the second half, but by then we were playing catch-up rugby. This week will have a different outcome, I believe.”
They are also looking to use their areas of strength to put Canada under pressure: “We are a set piece team, that is no secret, so we will be looking at those areas to get an advantage.
“We got good reward with scrum penalties last week and we are hoping to get good momentum with our mauls again, and those two factors can benefit us in chasing the win. We had real good moments in Pretoria, but also lapses which they exploited, so will be looking to cut those out of our game.
“We have a lot to play for, and a good performance here will do us the world of good. Knowing the home crowd, I urge them to come early and come watch us play as well. We need all the support and the more spectators in the stadium, the better we will perform.”
Head-to-Head:
- 13/8/2009: SA lost 17-35, Ontario
- 2/8/2011: SA lost 17-52, Ontario
- 7/8/2013: SA lost 17-53, Greely, Colorado
- 25/3/2023: SA lost 7-66, Madrid
- 4/7/2025: SA lost 50-20, Pretoria
Selected team stats:
- Nolusindiso Booi (51 caps) will extend her record number of appearances for the team and as a lock.
- Sinazo Mcatshulwa (37 caps) will extend her record number of appearances as a loose forward.
- Babalwa Latsha (35 caps) could extend her record number of appearances as a prop.
- Libbie Janse Rensburg (209 points – 12 tries, 55 conversions, 12 penalty goals, 1 drop goal) could extend her points’ record in Test matches.
- Zintle Mpupha (20) could extend her record for most Test tries.
Match details – Springbok Women v Canada
Venue: Nelson Mandela Stadium, Gqeberha
Kick-off: 13h30
Referee: Precious Pazani (Zimbabwe)
Assistant referees: Aimee Barrett-Theron, Zoe Naude
TMO: Christie du Preez
Bunker: Ben Crouse
TV: SuperSport
Heaven Sent
Sport Trivia: What sport would you associate Brian Mitchell with? Answer: Boxing – Brian Mitchell won the WBA junior lightweight title in 1986, and ended up defending it successfully 12 times which in itself was a world record. He retired undefeated in 1991 with 46 wins, one loss, and two draws.
Star Killer
The Springboks have a long-standing rivalry with the New Zealand All Blacks, with their matches often being some of the most intense and closely contested games in international rugby.