By Kevin Rademeyer, Sports Journalist.
The Springbok Women will launch their Rugby World Cup 2025 campaign this Sunday with a blend of seasoned Test veterans and rising stars, when they face Brazil in the opening round at Franklin’s Gardens in Northampton.
Head coach Swys de Bruin has named a matchday squad stacked with experience, with 17 of the 23 players boasting previous World Cup appearances. Only six players are yet to taste action on rugby’s grandest stage, underlining the maturity and readiness of this South African side.
Four players in the starting XV will make their tournament debuts – fullback Byrhandré Dolf, wings Maceala Samboya and Ayanda Malinga, and lock Danelle Lochner – while replacements Vainah Ubisi and Nombuyekezo Mdliki are also set for their first taste of World Cup rugby.
For the rest, the World Cup stage is familiar territory. Several combinations have already stood firm in high-pressure moments, including the midfield partnership of Zintle Mpupha and Aphiwe Ngwevu, the loose forward trio of Aseza Hele, Sinazo Mcatshulwa and Sizophila Solontsi, and the front row anchored by Babalwa Latsha, Lindelwa Gwala and Sanelisiwe Charlie. The halfback pairing of Nadine Roos and Libbie Janse van Rensburg also featured in South Africa’s last RWC opener against France in Auckland in 2022.
At the helm is Nolusindiso Booi, who continues to rewrite the record books. The veteran lock will extend her national record to 53 Test caps while leading her country as captain for the 25th time – both unmatched achievements in Springbok Women’s history.
Several squad members are on the brink of personal landmarks. Flyhalf Janse van Rensburg, South Africa’s leading all-time points scorer, enters the match with 209 career points and could extend her record further. Centre Mpupha, who has already scored 20 tries in Test rugby, is likewise poised to push her tally higher.
Meanwhile, Latsha, Gwala and Mcatshulwa will each extend their records for most appearances in their respective positions.
Yet Booi was quick to stress that Sunday will not be about individual accolades. “The last thing we can afford in this opener is moving away from our game plan,” said the captain. “Brazil thrive in unstructured play, with sevens players who love open space. For us, it’s about playing as a unit, being measured, and executing when opportunities arise. We have been better prepared than ever before, and now it’s our turn to deliver for our country.”
Coach de Bruin echoed those sentiments, cautioning against complacency despite Brazil entering as the lowest-ranked side in the tournament. “They fully deserve their place here and will come at us with energy,” he said. “Our job is to stay focused on our style of play and start this World Cup with authority.”
This weekend marks the beginning of an expanded Rugby World Cup that promises high drama from the outset. Hosts England, who demolished South Africa 75-0 at the last World Cup, will set the tone in the opening night against USA at the Stadium of Light. Defending champions New Zealand, still chasing a record-extending seventh title, begin their campaign against Spain. France and Italy who join South Africa in Pool D play the last game of the day on Saturday.
For South Africa, the task is clear: secure a strong start to build momentum in a group that demands consistency. Brazil may be debutants at this level, but their unpredictability and pace make them a potentially awkward first hurdle.
Match details
Fixture: South Africa v Brazil
Date: Sunday, 23 August 2025
Venue: Franklin’s Gardens, Northampton
Kick-off: 15:45 (SA time)
With records on the line and the promise of history in the making, the Springbok Women know that victory on Sunday would not only set the tone for their own campaign but also signal South Africa’s growing presence in the global women’s game.
Springbok Women team to play Brazil in Northampton:
15 Byrhandré Dolf – 22 caps, 37 points (7 tries, 1 conversion)
14 Maceala Samboya – 4 caps, 20 points (4 tries)
13 Zintle Mpupha – 26 caps, 106 points (20 tries, 3 conversions)
12 Aphiwe Ngwevu – 27 caps, 60 points (12 tries)
11 Ayanda Malinga – 13 caps, 65 points (13 tries)
10 Libbie Janse van Rensburg – 27 caps, 209 points (12 tries, 55 conversions, 12 penalty goals, 1 drop goal)
9 Nadine Roos – 18 caps, 35 points (5 tries, 5 conversions)
8 Aseza Hele – 28 caps, 65 points (13 tries)
7 Sinazo Mcatshulwa – 38 caps, 55 points (11 tries)
6 Sizophila Solontsi – 28 caps, 45 points (9 tries)
5 Danelle Lochner – 19 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
4 Nolusindiso Booi (captain) – 52 caps, 5 points (1 try)
3 Babalwa Latsha (vice-captain) – 36 caps, 30 points (6 tries)
2 Lindelwa Gwala – 35 caps, 75 points (15 tries)
1 Sanelisiwe Charlie – 26 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
Replacements:
16 Micke Gunter – 13 caps, 5 points (1 try)
17 Yonela Ngxingolo – 35 caps, 15 points (3 tries)
18 Nombuyekezo Mdliki – 5 caps, 0 points
19 Vainah Ubisi – 18 caps, 15 points (3 tries)
20 Lerato Makua – 15 caps, 15 points (3 tries)
21 Catha Jacobs – 22 caps, 5 points (1 try)
22 Unam Tose – 27 caps, 12 points (2 tries, 1 conversion)
23 Jakkie Cilliers – 19 caps, 106 points (9 tries, 23 conversions, 5 penalty goals).