Nolusindiso Booi has been announced as South Africa captain for the upcoming Women’s Rugby World Cup in England.
The most-capped Springbok Women’s player will lead a squad of 32, with 19 players having previous Rugby World Cup experience.
Booi, who captained the squad at the previous tournament in New Zealand in 2022, has led the side in 23 Tests, with Babalwa Latsha, who captained the Bok Women in 14 Test matches, as well as in the recent Black Ferns XV series, is named as vice-captain.
‘This Energy Never Stops’ – Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025
‘This Energy Never Stops’ – Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025
12 players will be playing at their first Rugby World Cup tournament.
Head coach De Bruin said: “I know we got the balance right. There will always be unfortunate players not selected, but as a coaching staff we are happy that we got the group we wanted.
“I believe that will push us towards the play-offs as we have so many options for each opponent, and that will boost our abilities. This selection is a culmination of hard work and sacrifice for the players, and I want to congratulate them. We all know the journeys each one travelled and for most, it was not easy.”
Springbok Women’s Rugby World Cup 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) *
* denotes previous RWC experience