Staff Reporter.
@GalloImages.
Long-serving captain Nolusindiso Booi will become the first player to reach 50 Test caps for the Springbok Women, when South Africa face Spain at Campo de Rugby Amorós Palao in Elche, Spain, on Saturday, 19 April, 2025.
Booi will reach this significant and historic milestone 15 years after her debut against Kazakhstan in 2010, while on the other end of the scale, Alicia Willemse could make her debut off the bench.
Performance coach Swys de Bruin named an experienced squad for the first Test of the 2025 season, with the start of the Rugby World Cup in England only 129 days away.
Apart from Booi, Tayla Kinsey will extend her run as the most-capped scrumhalf, Lindelwa Gwala will do the same at hooker, Sinazo Mcatshulwa as loose forward and Babalwa Latsha will extend her run as the most experienced prop for the Springbok Women.
Nadine Roos and Ayanda Malinga will start at fullback and wing respectively, having played a significant role in the Springbok Women’s Sevens tournament win in Poland last weekend.
De Bruin said Booi is a real example to all involved in the women’s game. “Her humility, how she serves the team and her just wanting what is best for them, are remarkable traits that she brings to the team,” said De Bruin.
Springbok Women Starting XV vs Spain in Elche on Saturday, 19 April, 2025
15. Nadine Roos – 15 caps, 35 points (5 tries, 5 conversions)
14. Jakkie Cilliers – 16 caps, 80 points (2 tries, 16 conversions, 2 penalty goals)
13. Chumisa Qawe (vice-captain) – 19 caps, 20 points (4 tries)
12. Aphiwe Ngwevu – 23 caps, 40 points (8 tries)
11. Ayanda Malinga – 11 caps, 60 points (12 tries)
10. Libbie Janse Rensburg – 24 caps, 204 points (11 tries, 55 conversions, 12 penalties, 1 drop goal)
9. Tayla Kinsey – 38 caps, 48 points (2 tries, 16 conversions, 2 penalty goals)
8. Aseza Hele – 25 caps, 55 points (11 tries)
7. Sinazo Mcatshulwa – 35 caps, 50 points (10 tries)
6. Sizophila Solontsi – 25 caps, 40 points (8 tries)
5. Anathi Qolo – 5 caps, 0 points
4. Nolusindiso Booi (captain) – 49 caps, 5 points (1 try)
3. Babalwa Latsha – 33 caps, 30 points (6 tries)
2. Lindelwa Gwala – 34 caps, 70 points (14 tries)
1. Sanelisiwe Charlie – 23 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
Replacements
16. Luchell Hanekom – 3 caps, 0 points
17. Yonela Ngxingolo – 32 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
18. Azisa Mkiva – 12 caps, 0 points
19. Danelle Lochner – 16 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
20. Catha Jacobs – 19 caps, 5 points (1 try)
21. Alica Willemse – uncapped
22. Eloise Webb – 14 caps, 30 points (6 tries)
23. Byrhandre Dolf – 16 caps, 15 points (3 tries).
Compiled by Lehlohonolo Lehana.