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.
The Springbok Women’s pack of forwards came to the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup with a clear objective and that desire – to be rated amongst the best of the best – will be a massive driving force in their Pool D performances against Brazil, Italy and France over the next three weekends.
Sunday’s Women’s Rugby World Cup opener between South Africa and Brazil at Franklin’s Garden in Northampton may be the first Test between the two nations, but for Springbok Women utility back Nadine Roos, some of her opponents will not be unfamiliar.
Springbok Women performance coach Swys de Bruin described his team’s departure to the Women’s Rugby World Cup in England as “the wrapped bicycle under the Christmas tree” and said they are well prepared for their most significant tournament in three years.
Nolusindiso Booi, the most-capped Springbok Women’s player, will lead a strong South African squad containing 19 players out of the 32 with previous Women’s Rugby World Cup experience to the 2025 global showpiece which kicks off in England in a few weeks’ time.
Springbok Women flanker and Isuzu Bulls Daisies captain Lusanda Dumke is stepping away from rugby due to health concerns.
Experienced campaigners Ayanda Malinga, Danelle Lochner and Lindelwa Gwala will return to the Springbok Women match-23 for Saturday’s second international friendly against the Black Ferns XV as Swys de Bruin again tweaked combinations for their final match before the Rugby World Cup in England next month.
Final tweaks aside, a positive result will be massively important for the Springbok Women when they take on the Black Ferns XV at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday, as this will be their final match before the Rugby World Cup starts in England next month.
The Springbok Women took another positive step towards the Rugby World Cup in England as they recovered from being outplayed by New Zealand’s Black Ferns XV in the first half of their match at Athlone Stadium on Saturday, to “winning” the second half.
Babalwa Latsha will lead the Springbok Women in the first of two international friendlies against the Blacks Ferns XV on Saturday, with both matches to be played at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town.