Springbok Women head coach Swys de Bruin named Nolusindiso Booi at lock for Saturday’s historic Women’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final against New Zealand, where South Africa will take on the Black Ferns with a bench consisting of seven forwards and a single back-line player at Sandy Park in Exeter, England, on Saturday, 13 September, 2025.
The inclusion of Booi, the regular captain, is one of ten changes to the starting team that lined up against France last Sunday.
Booi, Lindelwa Gwala (hooker), Danelle Lochner (lock), Sizophila Solontsi (flanker), Libbie Janse van Rensburg (flyhalf), Zintle Mpupha (centre) and Ayanda Malinga (wing) were all rested against France, and were last in action against Italy two weekends ago.
In all, thirteen members of the starting lineup and six replacements were involved in the York victory over Italy that secured the Bok Women a first-ever RWC quarter-final spot.
De Bruin opted to name seven forwards on the bench, with Eloise Webb the only backline cover for the biggest match yet in Springbok Women history.
Locks Vainah Ubisi and Anathi Qolo have both been included on the bench, along with loose forwards Catha Jacobs and Lerato Makua, all of whom started against France last Sunday. The front row of Yonela Nxgingola, Luchell Hanekom and Nombuyekezo Mdliki round off the bomb squad.
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“We decided on the 7-1 split because of the profile of our team,” said De Bruin.
“We are a team that like to dominate upfront, and playing two fresh packs – in each half – against the Black Ferns is a tactical decision. We rested all those players against France to be ready for this Test, and now it is time for them to take on New Zealand with fresh legs and eager minds.”
“You must realise, our squad was not used to this intensity and quality of opposition for a long time, so we had to plan their workload properly. I am happy to say it worked out exactly as planned, and we are ready to go.”
The Bok Women coach said they are aware of the threats from New Zealand: “They have won the World Cup six times already; we did not even enter the qualification play-offs in 2017 and lost all our matches in 2022, that is how far behind we are against them.
“Their players’ passing ability and accuracy are amazing, and one can see they have played this game from a young age.
“That is not the case with us, but that said, we have improved so much, and few teams will beat our heart and guts.”
De Bruin had a simple message for his team: “Leave nothing on the field. We will carry you off if you are too tired to walk at the end of it. This is the biggest game of your life, go out and enjoy it.”
Springbok Women vs France in Exeter, England, on Saturday, 13 September, 2025
15 Byrhandré Dolf – 25 caps, 62 points (7 tries, 12 conversions, 1 penalty goal)
14 Maceala Samboya – 6 caps, 20 points (4 tries)
13 Zintle Mpupha – 28 caps, 106 points (20 tries, 3 conversions)
12 Aphiwe Ngwevu – 30 caps, 65 points (13 tries)
11 Ayanda Malinga – 15 caps, 80 points (16 tries)
10 Libbie Janse van Rensburg – 29 caps, 219 points (14 tries, 55 conversions, 12 penalty goals, 1 drop goal)
9 Nadine Roos – 21 caps, 50 points (8 tries, 5 conversions)
8 Aseza Hele – 30 caps, 85 points (17 tries)
7 Sinazo Mcatshulwa – 41 caps, 60 points (12 tries)
6 Sizophila Solontsi – 30 caps, 50 points (10 tries)
5 Danelle Lochner – 21 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
4 Nolusindiso Booi (captain) – 54 caps, 5 points (1 try)
3 Babalwa Latsha (vice-captain) – 39 caps, 30 points (6 tries)
2 Lindelwa Gwala – 37 caps, 75 points (15 tries)
1 Sanelisiwe Charlie – 28 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
Replacements
16 Luchell Hanekom – 10 caps, 0 points
17 Yonela Ngxingolo – 38 caps, 15 points (3 tries)
18 Nombuyekezo Mdliki – 8 caps, 0 points
19 Vainah Ubisi – 21 caps, 15 points (3 tries)
20 Anathi Qolo – 10 caps, 5 points (1 try)
21 Lerato Makua – 18 caps, 20 points (4 tries)
22 Catha Jacobs – 25 caps, 5 points (1 try)
23 Eloise Webb – 19 caps, 30 points (6 tries)
Springbok Women Rugby World Cup 2025 Fixtures and Results Schedule
Sunday 24 August: South Africa 66-6 Brazil
Sunday 31 August: South Africa 29-24 Italy
Sunday 7 September: South Africa 57-10 France
Saturday 13 September: South Africa v New Zealand
Original Copy: SA Rugby Communications, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: Coach Swys de Bruin exhorts his team to leave nothing on the field in the biggest match in Springbok Women history, as South Africa look forward to Saturday’s historic Women’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final against New Zealand, at Sandy Park in Exeter, England, on Saturday, 13 September, 2025 File Photo: Gallo Images via SA Rugby
