The globe is now deeply involved in global rugby, as the Southern Hemisphere beats to the tune of the Rugby Championship. Fans are getting an abundance of excitement!

Nevertheless, the men’s competition will step into the background for the coming weeks with the Women’s Rugby World Cup becoming the main focus.

Indeed, the Springbok Women will start their Rugby World Cup 2025 journey on Sunday, featuring a team loaded with substantial Test and competition experience as they take on Brazil at Franklin’s Garden in Northampton.

Just four members of the initial XV – Byrhandré Dolf, Maceala Samboya, Ayanda Malinga, and Danelle Lochner – haven’t played in a World Cup so far. Of the substitutes, Vainah Ubisi and Nombuyekezo Mdliki are the sole players without international caps at this stage.

The remaining members of the matchday team have each participated in a major international event.

Familiar combinations

Numerous team configurations still persist from South Africa’s initial game versus France during the 2022 World Cup held in Auckland. Zintle Mpupha and Aphiwe Ngwevu maintain their central midfield role, alongside the back-row group consisting of Aseza Hele, Sinazo Mcatshulwa, and Sizophila Solontsi who are all set to feature again.

Sanelisiwe Charlie, Lindelwa Gwala, and Babalwa Latsha occupy the front row, joined by halfbacks Nadine Roos and Libbie Janse van Rensburg, adding more consistency.

Captain Nolusindiso Booi once more leads the second line. Catha Jacobs and Unam Tose, who were reserves in 2022, take up similar positions with Northampton.

Head coach Swys de Bruin mentioned that the team composition combines experience with current performance.

“Yes, we have had positive experiences within the group, but we chose this team for the game considering their current performance, teamwork dynamics, and most importantly, how we must approach the game to achieve success,” said De Bruin.

Although Brazil is the weakest team in the competition, they deserve their place and will arrive fully prepared. In recent weeks, we’ve concentrated on our playing method and strategy, which will continue to guide us through Sunday. Naturally, there’s an overall plan, but for us, everything revolves around this weekend. We must begin strongly in this tournament and then progress accordingly.

Records on the line

Booi will increase her tally as the most-qualified Springbok Women’s player with 52 matches, along with raising her leadership record to 25.

Latsha, Gwala, and Mcatshulwa will also increase their numbers in terms of appearances at specific positions, whereas Janse van Rensburg (with 209 points) and Mpupha (with 20 tries) have the potential to boost their point totals even more.

However, Booi emphasized that the emphasis lies on unity.

” The least we can afford in this opening match is straying from our strengths, strategy, and concentration,” said Booi.

Brazil has brought in several of their seven-a-side players, and they aim for an open, informal style of play with plenty of room. This contrasts sharply with our strategy this week. We must remain disciplined as a group and capitalize on chances when they arise. In our previous match, we demonstrated that we perform best when playing cohesively within our structure. Therefore, we have a solid grasp of what needs to be done.

As she looks forward to her fourth World Cup, Booi considered the progress of the sport and its future potential.

Not just how the sport has expanded globally, but also within our own country and for this team,” she stated. “We haven’t had such thorough preparation and care as long as I can recall, so it’s now up to us to prove that investment worthwhile and produce performances that will take the game to new heights at home.

Match-day squad

Springbok Women (15-1):


Byrhandré Dolf, Maceala Samboya, Zintle Mpupha, Aphiwe Ngwevu, Ayanda Malinga, Libbie Janse van Rensburg, Nadine Roos, Aseza Hele, Sinazo Mcatshulwa, Sizophila Solontsi, Danelle Lochner, Nolusindiso Booi (team captain), Babalwa Latsha (deputy captain), Lindelwa Gwala, Sanelisiwe Charlie.


Replacements (16-23):


Micke Gunter, Yonela Ngxingolo, Nombuyekezo Mdliki, Vainah Ubisi, Lerato Makua, Catha Jacobs, Unam Tose, Jakkie Cilliers.