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Irish Examiner
11-08-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Edel McMahon and Aoife Wafer make Ireland's World Cup squad despite injuries
Edel McMahon and Aoife Wafer, both key players, have been named in Ireland's squad for the approaching Rugby World Cup despite carrying injuries that have kept them on the sidelines for both warm-up fixtures. Head coach Scott Bemand suggested that McMahon would have been available to play last Saturday against Canada in Belfast had the game been one of higher stakes as the experienced flanker rehabs a knee problem. Wafer's availability is less forthcoming. The back row is still dealing with knee ligament issues suffered against Wales during the spring's Six Nations but the expectation will be that she features at some point of the campaign. Ireland start against Japan in Northampton next Sunday week but Christy Haney won't be part of the panel. The loosehead prop has a hamstring injury that has kept her out of action in recent weeks and she loses out. Bemand spoke after Saturday's game about the fact that the squad can't carry too many players with injuries. He has instead opted to pick Ellena Perry as one of his looseheads after the former England player made her Ireland debut over the weekend. McMahon and Sam Monaghan will co-captain the squad and there is one uncapped player with hooker Beth Buttimer, who impressed in the recent U20 Summer Series, getting the call up for the biggest gig in tow. Also make the final travelling party with Deirbhile Nic a Bahaird, Jane Clohessy, Sarah Delaney, Aoife Corey and Katie Corrigan among the players named in the initial 37-strong training panel to fall the wrong side of the cut. This is Ireland's first World Cup in eight years having failed to qualify for the 2021 tournament that was delayed and held 12 months later. A quarter-final spot will be the minimum required with the squad setting the goal of a London semi. 'Missing out on the last World Cup lit a fire in all of us,' said McMahon. 'Getting Ireland back on the world stage means absolutely everything, it's something we have dreamed of and fought for ever since. We're ready, and we are going to give it everything for our country.' Ireland 2025 Rugby World Cup RWC Squad: Forwards: Claire Boles (Railway Union RFC/Ulster) (6), Beth Buttimer (UL Bohemian/Munster)*, Ruth Campbell (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster) (8), Eimear Corri Fallon (Blackrock RFC/Leinster) (6), Linda Djougang (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster) (48), Brittany Hogan (Old Belvedere RFC/Ulster) (34), Neve Jones (Gloucester Hartpury) (37), Ivana Kiripati (Creggs RFC/Connacht) (2), Siobhán McCarthy (Railway Union RFC/Munster) (9), Sadhbh McGrath (Cooke RFC/Ulster) (16), Edel McMahon (Exeter Chiefs/Connacht) (34) Co-Captain, Clíodhna Moloney MacDonald (Exeter Chiefs) (45), Sam Monaghan (Gloucester Hartpury/IQ Rugby) (23) Co-Captain, Grace Moore (Trailfinders Women/IQ Rugby) (22), Niamh O'Dowd (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster) (17), Ellena Perry (Gloucester Hartpury/IQ Rugby) (1), Fiona Tuite (Old Belvedere RFC/Ulster) (17), Aoife Wafer (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster) (15). Backs: Enya Breen (Blackrock College RFC/Munster) (31), Amee Leigh Costigan (Railway Union RFC/Munster) (19), Aoife Dalton (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster) (24), Méabh Deely (Blackrock College RFC/Connacht) (14), Stacey Flood (Railway Union RFC/Leinster) (20), Nicole Fowley (Galwegians/Connacht) (14), Eve Higgins (Railway Union RFC/Leinster) (28), Emily Lane (Blackrock College RFC/Munster) (17), Anna McGann (Railway Union RFC/Connacht) (11), Nancy McGillivray (Exeter Chiefs/IQ Rugby) (1), Dannah O'Brien (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster) (26), Béibhinn Parsons (Blackrock College RFC/Connacht) (28), Aoibheann Reilly (Blackrock College RFC/Connacht) (16), Molly Scuffil-McCabe (Manawatū RFC/Leinster) (22). *Denotes uncapped
The South African
09-08-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Springbok Women's squad named for 2025 Rugby World Cup
Home » Springbok Women's squad named for 2025 Rugby World Cup The Springbok Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 squad has been named for the tournament where they will face Brazil, Italy and France in Pool D. Image: SA Rugby 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 head coach Swys de Bruin's squad was named at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on Saturday for the four-yearly tournament, where South Africa will face Brazil, Italy and France in Pool D. Booi, who captained the squad at the previous tournament in New Zealand in 2022, is also South Africa's most experienced Test captain, having led the side in 23 Tests. Babalwa Latsha, who captained the Bok Women in 14 Test matches as well as in the recent Black Ferns XV series, was named as vice-captain. Booi (2010, 2014, 2022) and Tayla Kinsey (2014, 2022) are the most experienced players in the squad, which boast a combined total of 689 Test caps. Among the 19 forwards, eight will be experiencing a Women's Rugby World Cup for the first time. They are Anathi Qolo (lock), who captained the side at the Rugby Africa Women's Cup in Madagascar in June, as well as Luchell Hanekom (hooker), Xoliswa Khuzwayo (prop), Nombuyekezo Mdliki (prop), Danelle Lochner (lock) and Vainah Ubisi (lock), all of whom played for South Africa last year, while Faith Tshauke (flanker) made her Test debut in Madagascar a few months ago. Four of the 13 backs will represent South Africa on this level for the first time: wings Maceala Samboya and Ayanda Malinga, flyhalf Mary Zulu and utility back Byrhandré Dolf are the newcomers in a backline stacked with players who have encountered the pressures of the Rugby World Cup before. All 32 players selected for the Women's Rugby World Cup featured either against Spain in April, the Rugby Africa Women's Cup, the two Tests against Canada in July, or the two recent internationals against the Black Ferns XV, which was a telling factor in their final selection, according to De Bruin. 'We used 49 players during the season where we played six Test matches and four international friendlies, and I know we got the balance right,' said De Bruin. 'There will always be unfortunate players not selected, but as a coaching staff we are happy that we got the group we wanted.' De Bruin said what excites him most are the combinations they will work with: 'I believe that will push us towards the playoffs 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.' The squad will assemble in Johannesburg on Tuesday, 12 August and depart for England on Thursday, 14 August. Their first match is against Brazil 10 days later. 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 (Western Province) – 9 caps, 0 points) Locks Nolusindiso Booi (captain, Western Province) – 52 caps, 5 points (1 try) *Danelle Lochner (Harlequins Women) – 19 caps, 10 points (2 tries)Nomsa Mokwai (Western Province) –13 caps, 0 pointsAnathi 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 (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 (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 Pool D schedule (SA times): Sunday, 24 August South Africa v Brazil, Franklin's Gardens, Northampton – 15:45 Sunday, 31 August South Africa v Italy, York Community Stadium, York – 16:30 Sunday, 7 September South Africa v France, Franklin's Gardens, Northampton – 17:45 The Rugby World Cup quarter-finals will be played on the weekend of 13/14 September, with the semi-finals on 19/20 September and the final on Saturday, 27 September. Team management Swys de Bruin (head coach)Laurian Johannes-Haupt (assistant coach)Bafana Nhleko (assistant coach)Franzel September (assistant coach)Naasier Parker (strength and conditioning coach)Zenay Jordaan (World Rugby Gallagher High Performance Academy coach)Moshe Magethi (team doctor)Neda Isaacs (physiotherapist)Lezane Ward (physiotherapist)Thandiswa Nxomani (team manager)JJ Harmse (media manager)Zwonaka Mbedzi (analyst) Thembisa Nxopo (operations) Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
