With final welcome ceremonies completed in York and Manchester over the weekend, all 16 nations have now officially arrived and been welcomed to the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025. The attendance of teams such as Australia, Samoa, Scotland, Wales, Canada, Fiji, Spain and defending champions New Zealand – alongside the earlier confirmations of South Africa and their Pool D rivals Brazil and Italy – has created a sense of genuine excitement across England ahead of the tournament’s kick-off on 22 August. World Rugby further added to the occasion by unveiling a striking new set of medals, crafted from solid brass and finished in gold, silver and bronze. Each medal features the new Women’s Rugby World Cup logo and the names of all participating nations, underscoring the importance and inclusiveness of this record-breaking edition.
From a South African perspective, the Springbok Women arrive in England full of quiet belief and buoyed by national support. Captain Nolusindiso Booi, who will be playing in her fourth Rugby World Cup, leads a highly experienced 32-player group that includes long-serving stars such as Babalwa Latsha, Tayla Kinsey and Zintle Mpupha. Significantly, 12 players will be making their Rugby World Cup debut – a sign of the depth and development taking place in the women’s game back home. Head coach Swys de Bruin has emphasised the importance of starting well, stressing that the opening match against Brazil is “the most important game” of their pool campaign.
“If you slip against Brazil, it’s tough – it affects the whole camp and the mood. All the focus is on Brazil. They’ve got their sevens players back – four or five of them in the backline – so we’ll have to do the damage up front,” noted De Bruin. He believes the momentum gained in that first fixture could prove decisive for their overall trajectory.
South Africa open their Pool D campaign against debutants Brazil at Franklin’s Gardens on 24 August before matches against Italy (31 August) and France (7 September). While the initial focus will be on starting well against Brazil, senior figures in the group are well aware that the Italy clash one week later could prove decisive in the race to reach the knock-out phase.
Adding to the national pride are two high-profile officials representing South Africa in England. Aimee Barrett-Theron, a former Springbok Women player with RWC experience, forms part of the referees’ panel – continuing a ground-breaking career which has already seen her officiate at the Olympic Games and semi-final fixtures at previous World Cups. Meanwhile, Quinton Immelman, a member of SA Rugby’s Premier Referee Panel and the first South African to officiate in the PRO14, has been appointed to the TMO panel for the tournament.
With the world’s top sides now officially welcomed and the inspirational new medals revealed, the stage is set for what promises to be a landmark World Cup. For South Africa, it is more than a campaign – it is a powerful opportunity to elevate women’s rugby, inspire a new generation and redefine expectations for South Africa women’s Rugby at international level.
Fixtures – Pool D (South Africa)
• 24 August – South Africa vs Brazil, Franklin’s Gardens (14:45)
• 31 August – Italy vs South Africa, York Community Stadium (15:30)
• 7 September – France vs South Africa, Franklin’s Gardens (16:45)
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