Springbok Women head coach Swys de Bruin and team captain Nolusindiso Booi were delighted with their first win over Italy in York on Sunday, with the pool victory also ensuring that South Africa progresses to the Women’s Rugby World Cup play-offs for the first time in history.
Furthermore, the 29-24 victory – their first in four attempts against the Italians – means South Africa will also move into the top ten on the World Rugby rankings for the first time.
De Bruin said his team’s refusal to back down when Italy came with a determined fight back to twice draw level in the game, as well as the tactical acumen of his coaching staff, were highlights in this exceptional win.
“I am so proud of everyone, this was really a team effort, not only from all here in England, but also our support structures back home, and this performance justifies the belief SA Rugby had in us,” said De Bruin, adding that Italy showed their Six Nations experience to come back from being 17-5 down, but his team wanted the victory more.
“We had a plan on how to beat Italy and credit to my coaches, as it worked to a tee. Our first phase helped us to score some tries, while we also outplayed them in the backs with some delightful tries.
Springbok Women Head Coach, Swys de Bruin
Booi said the victory cemented the team’s improvement and self-belief. “The performance was magic, we never stopped fighting, knowing what was at stake,” she said.
“This win was for all who came before us, those who paved the way. Look at where we started and look where we are now – in the top ten of the world game. This is just so rewarding for everyone, especially the coaches who prepared us for this moment.”
Springbok Women Captain, Nolusindiso Booi
The Springbok Women claimed the greatest result in their history as they made it two bonus-point wins in a row to confirm their place in the knockout stages of the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup in England.
For the second day in succession, the York Community Stadium threw up a RWC classic with the South Africans triumphing 29-24 over Italy in a thriller thanks to Sinazo Mcatshulwa’s try six minutes from time.
Scores from Aseza Hele, Nadine Roos, Ayanda Malinga and Sizophila Solontsi had twice put Swys De Bruin’s side in front but a valiant Italian side fought back on both occasions.
But in the end, it was the southern hemisphere outfit who prevailed, and the emotion was there for all to see from those in green and gold come full-time as referee Ella Goldsmith’s whistle was met with wild celebrations.
With the game taking on the role of a quasi-knockout match, South Africa made a blistering start beneath the Yorkshire sunshine as they opened the scoring inside two minutes.
Right from Libbie Janse van Rensburg’s kick-off, the Springbok women put Italy under pressure, forcing the opposition to concede an early scrum.
And it was from that set piece in which South Africa pounced, as Bok No. 8 Hele dribbled the ball forward from the base of the scrum before collecting and powering over the whitewash.
That early score sparked Italy into life and Alyssa D’Inca began to test the South African defence, but the Bok Women stood firm, as two superb tackles thwarted the wing’s progress on two separate occasions.
The game was stopped for several minutes on the 10-minute mark when Sara Tounesi remained down after an attempted chop tackle. Despite leaving the field on a stretcher, the Italy lock joined in with the round of applause she received, which everyone inside the York Community Stadium was pleased to see.
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South Africa threatened to extend their lead and were gifted a chance to do so on 16 minutes after Italy were penalised for a non-straight lineout.
From there, South Africa’s dominant pack won a penalty from the scrum, which gave Janse van Rensburg the chance to drive her team further into Italy’s half. A rolling maul ensued, and Lindelwa Gwala looked all set to score before the referee blew for obstruction.
But the team in green and gold weren’t to be denied, and Janse van Rensburg’s sumptuous dummy opened up the Italian defence. With teammates either side of the Bok flyhalf, Roos was the player picked out to dot the ball down midway through the first half. Byrhandré Dolf added the extras to give her side a 12-0 lead.
Fabio Roselli’s team refused to lie down, however, and responded by scoring their first points of this year’s World Cup just four minutes later.
South Africa looked to have done enough to prevent their copybook from being blotted thanks to Roos’ heroic last-ditch tackle to stop Aura Muzzo, but Italy were able to continue their attack, and Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi finished the move off.
The opening 40 minutes continued to ebb and flow as momentum shifted between both sides. A South African scrum in the centre of the field initially didn’t present Italy with an immediate threat, but the only African representatives at England 2025 had other ideas.
The ball was moved quickly out wide before Roos darted through a gap in the Italian defence. The Bok fullback then offloaded brilliantly – timing her pass to perfection – to Malinga who capped off the thrilling team move.
A lapse in concentration from Dolf six minutes before half-time proved costly for the Springbok women as the wing drifted into touch when catching a hopeful Italian high ball.
The resultant lineout allowed Italy to bash themselves towards the South African try-line and hooker Vittoria Vecchini was able to crash over after good work from Silvia Turani in the build-up.
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Having led 17-12 at the break, Italy regained parity in proceedings seven minutes into the second half through a cleverly worked lineout.
Vecchini’s throw found its way back to her via Francesca Sgorbini and the front rower duly drove towards the South African line. Sgorbini ably supported her teammate and was on hand to receive the ball back from Vecchini to confirm the game-levelling score.
Just like the pulsating 31-31 draw between USA and Australia on the same ground less than 24 hours before, it was clear another titanic tussle was unfolding.
South Africa edged back in front just before the hour mark as Solontsi burrowed over following a relentless spell of pressure. Dolf’s second conversion made it a seven-point game, but Italy once again dragged themselves back onto an even keel as Sara Seye’s converted try set up a grandstand finish.
This was a game that no team deserved to lose but Mcatshulwa’s late try made sure it was South Africa who claimed the spoils in front of the 6045-strong crowd.
With more than 400,000 tickets already sold, and prices starting at just £5 for children and £10 for adults, fans are encouraged to secure their tickets now via tickets.rugbyworldcup.com.
Springbok Women Rugby World Cup 2025 Pool D Schedule
Sunday 24 August South Africa 66-6 Brazil
Sunday 31 August South Africa 29-24 Italy
Scorers
Springbok Women 29 (17)
Tries: Aseza Hele, Nadine Roos, Ayanda Malinga, Sizophila Solontsi, Sinazo Mcatshulwa
Conversions: Byrhandré Dolf (2).
Italy 24 (12)
Tries: Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi, Vittoria Vecchini, Francesca Sgorbini, Sara Seye
Conversions: Michela Sillari, Beatrice Rigoni.
Sunday 7 September
17h45: SA v France (Franklin’s Gardens, Northampton) (CAT)
Springbok Women vs Italy in York on Sunday, 31 August, 2025
15 Nadine Roos
14 Byrhandré Dolf
13 Zintle Mpupha
12 Chumisa Qawe
11 Ayanda Malinga
10 Libbie Janse van Rensburg
9 Unam Tose
8 Aseza Hele
7 Sinazo Mcatshulwa
6 Sizophila Solontsi
5 Danelle Lochner
4 Nolusindiso Booi (C)
3 Babalwa Latsha
2 Lindelwa Gwala
1 Sanelisiwe Charlie
Replacements
16 Micke Gunter
17 Yonela Ngxingolo
18 Nombuyekezo Mdliki
19 Vainah Ubisi
20 Lerato Makua
21 Catha Jacobs
22 Eloise Webb
23 Aphiwe Ngwevu
Original Copy: SA Rugby Communications, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: Aphiwe Ngwevu of South Africa makes headway for the Springbok Women against Italy during the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 Pool D match at the York Community Stadium in York, England, on August 31, 2025. All Photos: Molly Darlington / World Rugby via Getty Images
Photo 2 Caption: Replacing Nadine Roos, who shifted to full-back, at fly-half, Unam Tose sends the ball down the line from the ruck during their second RWC match.
Photo 3 Caption: A jinx by speedster Zintle Mpupha as she tries to open up some space on the Italian defence at the York Community Stadium on Sunday.
Photo 4 Caption: South Africa were fleet-footed on attack, and resolute on defence, seen here as Beatrice Veronese is tackled by Nadine Roos with Ayanda Malinga ready to contest possession.
