Springbok Women Field Experienced Squad for Rugby World Cup Opener Against Brazil

The South African Springbok Women’s rugby team is preparing for their 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup campaign with a highly experienced squad targeting their first World Cup win in 15 years. They will open their tournament against Brazil, a team ranked lower but known for their speed and sevens rugby expertise, making them a potentially tricky opponent. Coach Swys de Bruin emphasized a measured and calculated approach, selecting players based on form and combinations, while captain Nolusindiso Booi will lead the team on the field. The Springbok Women come off a strong 41–24 victory against New Zealand’s Black Ferns XV and hope to use that momentum to build confidence for tough upcoming matches against Italy and France. Scrum coach Laurian Johannes-Haupt, who played in the 2010 World Cup, expressed confidence in the current forward pack’s strength and believes they rank among the top three in the tournament, aiming to improve on their historical World Cup record of only three wins in 18 matches. South Africa’s hopes rest heavily on the women’s team alongside the men’s side, as both face pivotal rugby clashes in the coming days.