Springbok Women Ready for World Cup Challenge in England

The South African Women’s Rugby squad completed their final training session at Parktown Boys High School in Johannesburg today before departing for the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup in England. The team, captained by Nolusindiso Booi, will begin their campaign on 24 August against Brazil in Northampton, followed by Italy on 31 August in York, and concluding their Pool D fixtures against France on 7 September in Brighton.

Booi leads a seasoned squad of 32, with 19 players boasting previous World Cup experience. Vice-captain Babalwa Latsha adds further leadership, while experienced campaigners such as scrumhalf Tayla Kinsey and flyhalf Libbie Janse van Rensburg are expected to play pivotal roles. Head coach Swys de Bruin has blended this core of veterans with emerging talent, including debutants Maceala Samboya, Ayanda Malinga, Mary Zulu and Byrhandré Dolf, in a squad that has benefitted from extensive international exposure in the build-up to the tournament.

Speaking at the final session, De Bruin emphasised the importance of starting strongly. “The Brazil game is crucial. Slip there, and the whole campaign becomes tough. We’ll have to do the damage up front, but we know their backline has real pace from their sevens stars,” he said. The coach praised the squad’s progression, likening the intensity of recent sessions to that of a Super Rugby side, and credited the support from SA Rugby, sponsors, and fans as a source of motivation.

For Kinsey, the journey to her third World Cup marks a personal and team evolution. Reflecting on her debut tournament in 2014, she recalled limited preparation and an underdog status, contrasting it with today’s well-conditioned, strategically focused squad. “We’re not there to participate; we’re there to compete, and I think other teams in the world already see that,” she said.

Recent results have bolstered belief. A landmark win over the Black Ferns XV in Cape Town gave the team a psychological lift heading into the tournament. Both coach and players noted the significance of that victory, with Kinsey calling it “really powerful” and De Bruin highlighting that it proved the squad could match top-tier opposition.

South Africa’s preparations have been rigorous, with all 32 selected players involved in high-intensity Tests or friendlies against the likes of Spain, Canada, and New Zealand this year. The team’s style has evolved into a more expansive, ball-in-hand approach, aiming to combine traditional forward dominance with dynamic backline play—a shift both management and players believe will make them more competitive on the world stage.

The Springbok Women will depart for England on 14 August, carrying the hopes of a growing fan base and the momentum of a squad united by shared sacrifice, resilience, and a clear vision. “As long as we have each other’s backs, nothing can stop us,” Kinsey affirmed.

If successful in Pool D, South Africa could secure a historic knockout-stage berth, with the quarter-finals set for 13–14 September, semi-finals on 19–20 September, and the final at Twickenham Stadium on 27 September. For Booi, Latsha, Kinsey, and their teammates, this campaign is not just about making up the numbers—it’s about staking a claim among the world’s elite.