Only six of the match-day 23 are making their tournament debuts, with the rest already having played in previous World Cups. Captain Nolusindiso Booi leads the side in her fourth World Cup, extending her national records for most Test caps to 52 and captaincies to 25.

Several key combinations from the 2022 opener against France return, including the midfield of Zintle Mpupha and Aphiwe Ngwevu, the loose forwards Aseza Hele, Sinazo Mcatshulwa, and Sizophila Solontsi, and the front row of Sanelisiwe Charlie, Lindelwa Gwala, and Babalwa Latsha.

Swys de Bruin. Photo: World Rugby

The Ficksburg-born-and-bred head coach, Swys de Bruin, warned that Brazil will be no pushovers.

“They may be the lowest-ranked side, but they’ve earned their place and will come hard at us. We must stay focused on our structures and get the tournament off to a strong start.”  

De Bruin said they do have goals of reaching at least the last eight of the World Cup.

“Targets? Yes. To make quarters, then see what happens. Performance, I would really like to see the players grow under pressure individually, which they have shown in the last couple of games. 

“They work so hard, so it’s nice to see each player get better in their position. The nine gives a better box kick, the 13 gives a better pass, or the front row gives a better hit at the scrum. I’d really like to see that improvement at a big show like this.

“I think of the picture of the Christmas tree, and the bicycle is wrapped under the tree. You can’t ride it yet, but you walk past and you can see it, feel it, sense it. We need to unwrap that present properly on Sunday.”

Nolusindiso Booi. Photo: SA Rugby

The Springbok Women will launch their Rugby World Cup 2025 campaign on Sunday against Brazil with a side rich in experience and proven combinations.

Of the starting XV, only four players will make their tournament debuts, while just two replacements are newcomers. The rest of the squad have already tasted World Cup action, with many returning from the 2022 opener against France.

Familiar faces run throughout the team sheet. Zintle Mpupha and Aphiwe Ngwevu continue their midfield partnership, while Aseza Hele, Sinazo Mcatshulwa, and Sizophila Solontsi reunite in the loose trio.

Nadine Roos. Photo: SA Rugby

In the front row, Sanelisiwe Charlie, Lindelwa Gwala, and Babalwa Latsha anchor the pack. Playmakers Nadine Roos and Libbie Janse van Rensburg reprise their roles from 2022, with Roos shifting from fullback to scrumhalf.

The fixture also brings personal milestones. Latsha, Gwala, and Mcatshulwa will extend their positional records, while Janse van Rensburg with 209 points and Mpupha with 20 tries  can add to their scoring tallies.

Sunday’s Women’s Rugby World Cup opener for South Africa against Brazil will kick-off at 15:45.

Springbok Women - 15 Byrhandré Dolf, 14 Maceala Samboya, 13 Zintle Mpupha, 12 Aphiwe Ngwevu, 11 Ayanda Malinga, 10 Libbie Janse van Rensburg, 9 Nadine Roos, 8 Aseza Hele, 7 Sinazo Mcatshulwa, 6 Sizophila Solontsi, 5 Danelle Lochner, 4 Nolusindiso Booi (captain), 3 Babalwa Latsha, 2 Lindelwa Gwala, 1 Sanelisiwe Charlie

Replacements - 16 Micke Gunter, 17 Yonela Ngxingolo, 18 Nombuyekezo Mdliki, 19 Vainah Ubisi, 20 Lerato Makua, 21 Catha Jacobs, 22 Unam Tose, 23 Jakkie Cilliers

Brazil - TBA

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek dg