(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Nolusindiso Booi Named South Africa Captain for 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup
Nolusindiso Booi, South Africa’s most-capped Springbok Women’s player, has been named captain for the upcoming Women’s Rugby World Cup in England. Booi will lead a 32-player squad featuring 19 players with previous World Cup experience.
Booi, who also captained the team at the 2022 World Cup in New Zealand, will be supported by vice-captain Babalwa Latsha. Latsha, who led the Bok Women in 14 Test matches and in the recent Black Ferns XV series, brings valuable leadership to the side.
Twelve players in the squad will be making their Rugby World Cup debut, adding fresh energy to the team.
Head coach De Bruin shared his confidence in the squad’s balance: “We have the group we wanted, blending experience and new talent. This selection is a result of hard work and dedication, and I’m proud of every player’s journey. We believe this team has what it takes to push toward the play-offs, with many options to adapt to different opponents.”
Springbok Women’s Rugby World Cup Squad:
Props:
Sanelisiwe Charlie (Bulls Daisies) – 26 caps, 2 tries
Xoliswa Khuzwayo (Golden Lions Women) – 8 caps
Yonela Ngxingolo (Bulls Daisies) – 35 caps, 3 tries
Babalwa Latsha (Vice-Captain, unattached) – 36 caps, 6 tries
Nombuyekezo Mdliki (Border Ladies) – 5 caps
Hookers:
Micke Gunter (Leicester Tigers Women) – 13 caps, 1 try
Lindelwa Gwala (unattached) – 35 caps, 15 tries
Luchell Hanekom (DHL Western Province) – 9 caps
Locks:
Nolusindiso Booi (Captain, DHL Western Province) – 52 caps, 1 try
Danelle Lochner (Harlequins Women) – 19 caps, 2 tries
Nomsa Mokwai (DHL Western Province) – 13 caps
Anathi Qolo (Bulls Daisies) – 9 caps, 1 try
Vainah Ubisi (Bulls Daisies) – 18 caps, 3 tries
Utility and Loose Forwards:
Aseza Hele (Sanlam Boland Dames) – 28 caps, 13 tries
Catha Jacobs (unattached) – 22 caps, 1 try
Lerato Makua (Bulls Daisies) – 15 caps, 3 tries
Sinazo Mcatshulwa (unattached) – 38 caps, 11 tries
Sizophila Solontsi (Bulls Daisies) – 28 caps, 9 tries
Faith Tshauke (Bulls Daisies) – 3 caps, 3 tries
Scrumhalves:
Unam Tose (Bulls Daisies) – 27 caps, 2 tries
Tayla Kinsey (Sharks Women) – 40 caps, 3 tries, 16 conversions, 2 penalties
Flyhalves:
Libbie Janse van Rensburg (Bulls Daisies) – 27 caps, 12 tries, 55 conversions, 12 penalties, 1 drop goal
Mary Zulu (Sharks Women) – 15 caps, 20 conversions
Centres:
Zintle Mpupha (Bulls Daisies) – 26 caps, 20 tries
Aphiwe Ngwevu (Border Ladies) – 27 caps, 12 tries
Chumisa Qawe (Bulls Daisies) – 22 caps, 4 tries
Eloise Webb (Border Ladies) – 17 caps, 6 tries
Outside Backs:
Jakkie Cilliers (Bulls Daisies) – 19 caps, 9 tries, 23 conversions, 5 penalties
Ayanda Malinga (Bulls Daisies) – 13 caps, 13 tries
Maceala Samboya (Sanlam Boland Dames) – 4 caps, 4 tries
Utility Backs:
Byrhandré Dolf (Bulls Daisies) – 22 caps, 7 tries, 1 conversion
Nadine Roos (unattached) – 18 caps, 5 tries, 5 conversions
Note: Asterisk (*) indicates players with previous Rugby World Cup experience.
