Booi to lead experienced Springbok Women at 2025 Rugby World Cup

Nolusindiso Booi, South Africa’s most-capped women’s rugby player, will captain the Springbok Women’s squad for the 2025 Rugby World Cup in England.

The 32-player squad, announced by head coach Swys de Bruin at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg, includes 19 players with previous World Cup experience. South Africa will compete in Pool D alongside Brazil, Italy, and France.

Booi, who also holds the record as the team’s most experienced Test captain with 23 matches, previously led the side at the 2022 World Cup in New Zealand.

Babalwa Latsha, with 14 Test captaincies and recent leadership duties during the Black Ferns XV series, has been named vice-captain. Booi, participating in her fourth World Cup after appearances in 2010, 2014, and 2022, and Tayla Kinsey, with tournaments in 2014 and 2022, are the most seasoned players in a squad boasting a combined 689 Test caps.

Eight forwards will make their World Cup debuts, including Anathi Qolo, Luchell Hanekom, Xoliswa Khuzwayo, Nombuyekezo Mdliki, Danelle Lochner, Vainah Ubisi, and Faith Tshauke. In the backline, newcomers Maceala Samboya, Ayanda Malinga, Mary Zulu, and Byrhandré Dolf will join a group of experienced campaigners.

All selected players featured in at least one of South Africa’s 2024 fixtures, including matches against Spain, Canada, and the Black Ferns XV, as well as the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup in Madagascar. De Bruin said the selection reflects a balanced squad built from the 49 players used during the season.

“We believe this group gives us the versatility to adjust for each opponent, which will be key to reaching the playoffs,” said De Bruin. “The journey for many of these players has been tough, and this selection is the reward for their persistence and dedication.”

The squad will gather in Johannesburg on 12 August before departing for England on 14 August. Their opening match against Brazil will be played 10 days later.

South Africa squad:

Props:
Sanelisiwe Charlie (Bulls Daisies) – 26 caps, 10 points (2 tries) *
Xoliswa Khuzwayo (Golden Lions Women) – 8 caps, 0 points)
Yonela Ngxingolo (Bulls Daisies) – 35 caps, 15 points (3 tries) *
Babalwa Latsha (vice-captain, unattached) – 36 caps, 30 points (6 tries) *
Nombuyekezo Mdliki (Border Ladies) – 5 caps, 0 points

Hookers:
Micke Gunter (Leicester Tigers Women, England) – 13 caps, 5 points (1 try) *
Lindelwa Gwala (unattached) – 35 caps, 75 points (15 tries) *
Luchell Hanekom (DHL Western Province) – 9 caps, 0 points)

Locks:
Nolusindiso Booi (captain, DHL Western Province) – 52 caps, 5 points (1 try) *
Danelle Lochner (Harlequins Women) – 19 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
Nomsa Mokwai (DHL Western Province) –13 caps, 0 points
Anathi Qolo (Bulls Daisies) – 9 caps, 5 points (1 try)
Vainah Ubisi (Bulls Daisies) – 18 caps, 15 points (3 tries)

Utility and loose forwards:
Aseza Hele (Sanlam Boland Dames) – 28 caps, 65 points (13 tries) *
Catha Jacobs (unattached) – 22 caps, 5 points (1 try) *
Lerato Makua (Bulls Daisies) – 15 caps, 15 points (3 tries) *
Sinazo Mcatshulwa (unattached) – 38 caps, 55 points (11 tries) *
Sizophila Solontsi (Bulls Daisies) – 28 caps, 45 points (9 tries) *
Faith Tshauke (Bulls Daisies) – 3 caps, 15 points (3 tries)

Scrumhalves:
Unam Tose (Bulls Daisies) – 27 caps, 12 points (2 tries, 1 conversion) *
Tayla Kinsey (Sharks Women) – 40 caps, 53 points (3 tries, 16 conversions, 2 penalty goals) *

Flyhalves:
Libbie Janse van Rensburg (Bulls Daisies) – 27 caps, 209 points (12 tries, 55 conversions, 12 penalties, 1 drop goal) *
Mary Zulu (Sharks Women) – 15 caps, 40 points (20 conversions)

Centres:
Zintle Mpupha (Bulls Daisies) – 26 caps, 106 points (20 tries, 3 conversions) *
Aphiwe Ngwevu (Border Ladies) – 27 caps, 60 points (12 tries) *
Chumisa Qawe (Bulls Daisies) – 22 caps, 20 points (4 tries) *
Eloise Webb (Border Ladies) – 17 caps, 30 points (6 tries) *

Outside backs:
Jakkie Cilliers (Bulls Daisies) – 19 caps, 106 points (9 tries, 23 conversions, 5 penalty goals) *
Ayanda Malinga (Bulls Daisies) – 13 caps, 65 points (13 tries)
Maceala Samboya (Sanlam Boland Dames) – 4 caps, 20 points (4 tries)

Utility backs:
Byrhandré Dolf (Bulls Daisies) – 22 caps, 37 points (7 tries, 1 conversion)
Nadine Roos (unattached) – 18 caps, 35 points (5 tries, 5 conversions) *