Springbok Women captain Nolusindiso Booi will return to lead her team in Saturday’s historic Women’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final against New Zealand, as head coach Swys de Bruin makes 10 changes to the starting line-up that faced France last weekend.
The experienced lock, who was rested for the France encounter, headlines a team featuring seven players who last saw action in the crucial victory over Italy that secured South Africa’s first-ever World Cup quarter-final berth.
In a bold tactical move, De Bruin has opted for a 7-1 forward-to-back split on the bench, with utility back Eloise Webb providing the only backline cover for what promises to be the biggest match in Springbok Women’s history.
“We decided on the 7-1 split because of the profile of our team,” De Bruin explained. “We are a team that likes to dominate upfront and playing two fresh packs – in each half – against the Black Ferns is a tactical decision.”
The strategy reflects careful workload management, with Booi joined by hooker Lindelwa Gwala, lock Danelle Lochner, flanker Sizophila Solontsi, flyhalf Libbie Janse van Rensburg, centre Zintle Mpupha and wing Ayanda Malinga – all rested against France to ensure peak condition for the quarter-final.
“We rested all those players against France to be ready for this Test and now it is time for them to take on New Zealand with fresh legs and eager minds,” De Bruin said.
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The coach acknowledged the magnitude of the challenge facing his team against the Black Ferns, who have claimed six World Cup titles. South Africa failed to even qualify for the 2017 tournament and lost all their matches in 2022.
“Their players’ passing ability and accuracy are amazing, and one can see they have played this game from a young age,” De Bruin noted. “That is not the case with us, but that said, we have improved so much, and few teams will beat our heart and guts.”
The bench will feature what De Bruin calls his “bomb squad” – seven forwards including locks Vainah Ubisi and Anathi Qolo, loose forwards Catha Jacobs and Lerato Makua, and front-rowers Yonela Ngxingolo, Luchell Hanekom and Nombuyekezo Mdliki.
De Bruin’s message to his players was simple but powerful: “Leave nothing on the field. We will carry you off if you are too tired to walk at the end of it. This is the biggest game of your life, go out and enjoy it.”
The match kicks off on Saturday in Exeter at 17:00, with South Africa seeking to reach their first-ever World Cup semi-final.
Starting XV: Byrhandré Dolf; Maceala Samboya, Zintle Mpupha, Aphiwe Ngwevu, Ayanda Malinga; Libbie Janse van Rensburg, Nadine Roos; Aseza Hele, Sinazo Mcatshulwa, Sizophila Solontsi, Danelle Lochner, Nolusindiso Booi (captain), Babalwa Latsha (vice-captain), Lindelwa Gwala, Sanelisiwe Charlie.
Replacements: Luchell Hanekom, Yonela Ngxingolo, Nombuyekezo Mdliki, Vainah Ubisi, Anathi Qolo, Lerato Makua, Catha Jacobs, Eloise Webb.
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