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 this afternoon at 3.45pm.
Only four players in the starting team — fullback Byrhandrѐ Dolf, wings Maceala Samboya and Ayanda Malinga, and lock Danelle Lochner — have no World Cup experience; while lock Vainah Ubisi and prop Nombuyekezo Mdliki are the only replacements yet to debut in the global showpiece.
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 the front row of Sanelisiwe Charlie, Lindelwa Gwala and Babalwa Latsha, all started in the World Cup opener against France in Auckland in 2022.
The halfbacks, Nadine Roos and Libbie Janse van Rensburg, also played in that Eden Park Test, though 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 No 4 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 World Cup experience, coach Swys de Bruin said he was 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,” he said.
“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 focused on our way and style of play in recent weeks, and that will remain our mindset until Sunday. Of course, there’s a wider approach but, for us, it’s 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).
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