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Eyewitness News
3 days ago
- Sport
- Eyewitness News
Bok Women's coach aiming for Rugby World Cup play-offs
JOHANNESBURG - South Africa head coach Swys de Bruin believes an experienced squad led by the Springbok women's most capped player Nolusindiso Booi can "push them towards the play-offs" of the Rugby World Cup. Booi, capped 52 times, also captained the squad at the previous tournament in New Zealand in 2022 and is one of 19 players out of the 32-player squad with previous Women's Rugby World Cup experience. South Africa, whose poor record pales into insignificance compared to the men's team who have won the global showpiece a record four times, are in Pool D for the tournament, which is being held in England and runs from 22 August to 27 September. They face a tough challenge to even progress from the pool stage with Six Nations runners-up France favourites to top it. They open their campaign against Brazil on 24 August followed by an improving Italy a week later and round it off against the French on 7 September. Booi is South Africa's most experienced Test captain, having led the side in 23 Tests, and will be backed up by vice-captain Babalwa Latsha, who has skippered the Bok Women in 14 Test matches. Booi (2010, 2014, 2022) and Tayla Kinsey (2014, 2022) are the most experienced players in the squad, which boasts a combined total of 689 Test caps. They will be missing one key player in Lusanda Dumke, the 28-year-old 33-times capped flanker will be absent owing to health concerns. All 32 players selected 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. De Bruin said what excites him most are the combinations they will work with. "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," he said. "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." Squad Forwards: Sanelisiwe Charlie (Bulls Daisies), Xoliswa Khuzwayo (Golden Lions Women), Yonela Ngxingolo (Bulls Daisies), Babalwa Latsha (unattached), Nombuyekezo Mdliki (Border Ladies), Micke Gunter (Leicester Tigers Women/ENG), Lindelwa Gwala (unattached), Luchell Hanekom (Western Province), Nolusindiso Booi (Western Province/capt), Danelle Lochner (Harlequins Women/ENG), Nomsa Mokwai (Western Province), Anathi Qolo (Bulls Daisies), Vainah Ubisi (Bulls Daisies), Aseza Hele (Boland Dames), Catha Jacobs (unattached), Lerato Makua (Bulls Daisies), Sinazo Mcatshulwa (unattached), Sizophila Solontsi (Bulls Daisies), Faith Tshauke (Bulls Daisies) Backs: Unam Tose (Bulls Daisies), Tayla Kinsey (Sharks Women), Libbie Janse van Rensburg (Bulls Daisies), Mary Zulu (Sharks Women), Zintle Mpupha (Bulls Daisies), Aphiwe Ngwevu (Border Ladies), Chumisa Qawe (Bulls Daisies), Eloise Webb (Border Ladies), Jakkie Cilliers (Bulls Daisies), Ayanda Malinga (Bulls Daisies), Maceala Samboya (Boland Dames), Byrhandré Dolf (Bulls Daisies), Nadine Roos (unattached)
IOL News
3 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Bok Women bank on experience in naming squad for Women's Rugby World Cup
Nolusindiso Booi, centre, the Springbok Women's most experienced Test captain, will once again lead the team at 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup in England. Nolusindiso Booi, the most-capped Springbok Women's player, will lead a strong, experienced South African squad boasting a combined 689 Test caps to the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup in England in a few weeks' time. Bok Women's head coach Swys de Bruin's squad for the World Cup – where South Africa will face Brazil, Italy and France in Pool D – was named at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on Saturday. 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. She said she was excited to have made the cut. 'We know the work needs to start again because we've been working so hard until now. We've been prepared enough and we did have a couple of games where we did have a crowd, because that is one of the things that are making people nervous when they reach that stage,' she said. 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 and Tayla Kinsey are the most experienced players in the squad, with 19 of the 32 players boasting previous World Cup experience. Eight of the 19 forwards will be experiencing a Women's Rugby World Cup for the first time. Four of the 13 backs will represent South Africa on this level for the first time. 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.
The Citizen
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Booi leads experienced SA squad to Women's Rugby World Cup 2025
'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.' 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. Bok 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. Amongst 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 have the right balance' '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 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.' 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. Springbok Women 2025 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) *
IOL News
3 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Springbok Women's coach aiming for Rugby World Cup play-offs
Target set Springbok head coach Swys de Bruin speaks to the media after their match against the Black Ferns XV in Cape Town last week. De Bruin says he's aiming for a play-off berth at this year's Women's Rugby World Cup. Photo: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix Image: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix South Africa head coach Swys de Bruin believes an experienced squad led by the Springbok women's most capped player Nolusindiso Booi can "push them towards the play-offs" of the Rugby World Cup. Booi, capped 52 times, also captained the squad at the previous tournament in New Zealand in 2022 and is one of 19 players out of the 32 player squad with previous Women's Rugby World Cup experience. South Africa, whose poor record pales into insignificance compared to the men's team who have won the global showpiece a record four times, are in Pool D for the tournament, which is being held in England and runs from August 22 to September 27. They face a tough challenge to even progress from the pool stage with Six Nations runners-up France favourites to top it. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ They open their campaign against Brazil on August 24 followed by an improving Italy a week later and round it off against the French on September 7. Booi is South Africa's most experienced Test captain, having led the side in 23 Tests, and will be backed up by vice-captain Babalwa Latsha, who has skippered the Bok Women in 14 Test matches. Booi (2010, 2014, 2022) and Tayla Kinsey (2014, 2022) are the most experienced players in the squad, which boasts a combined total of 689 Test caps. They will be missing one key player in Lusanda Dumke, the 28-year-old 33-times capped flanker will be absent owing to health concerns. All 32 players selected 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. De Bruin said what excites him most are the combinations they will work with. "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," he said. "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." Squad Forwards: Sanelisiwe Charlie (Bulls Daisies), Xoliswa Khuzwayo (Golden Lions Women), Yonela Ngxingolo (Bulls Daisies), Babalwa Latsha (unattached), Nombuyekezo Mdliki (Border Ladies), Micke Gunter (Leicester Tigers Women/ENG), Lindelwa Gwala (unattached), Luchell Hanekom (Western Province), Nolusindiso Booi (Western Province/capt), Danelle Lochner (Harlequins Women/ENG), Nomsa Mokwai (Western Province), Anathi Qolo (Bulls Daisies), Vainah Ubisi (Bulls Daisies), Aseza Hele (Boland Dames), Catha Jacobs (unattached), Lerato Makua (Bulls Daisies), Sinazo Mcatshulwa (unattached), Sizophila Solontsi (Bulls Daisies), Faith Tshauke (Bulls Daisies) Backs: Unam Tose (Bulls Daisies), Tayla Kinsey (Sharks Women), Libbie Janse van Rensburg (Bulls Daisies), Mary Zulu (Sharks Women), Zintle Mpupha (Bulls Daisies), Aphiwe Ngwevu (Border Ladies), Chumisa Qawe (Bulls Daisies), Eloise Webb (Border Ladies), Jakkie Cilliers (Bulls Daisies), Ayanda Malinga (Bulls Daisies), Maceala Samboya (Boland Dames), Byrhandré Dolf (Bulls Daisies), Nadine Roos (unattached) AFP Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
The South African
3 days ago
- 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.
