Sunday’s Women’s Rugby World Cup opener between South Africa and Brazil at Franklin’s Garden in Northampton may be the first Test between the two nations, but for Springbok Women utility back Nadine Roos, some of her opponents will not be unfamiliar.
Alongside her teammates Ayanda Malinga, Eloise Webb, Zintle Mpupha and Sizophila Solontsi, Roos has played Brazil four times in the 2024 HSBC SVNS series.
Unfortunately, the South Americans were victorious in three of those encounters, despite brave efforts from especially Roos, who scored some spectacular tries against the team in yellow.
This time, however, playing in a different code, Roos said she is determined that a different result will follow as the Bok Women went through their paces at their training base in Kettering, a short drive from Sunday’s match venue.
“Those matches were very close with one score or try that made the difference, it was only in one of those defeats where we were outplayed,” said Roos.
“So yes, I definitely believe we can give it back to them this time, different code or not. Rugby remains rugby and we want to win when we play for our country, especially at a Rugby World Cup.”
Springbok Women Utility Back, Nadine Roos
Roos said the fact that almost 80% of their Sevens regulars are in the Brazilian RWC squad proves their worth.
“Those speedsters are really fast and adding to that, their playmakers have the ability to provide them ball in space,” she said.
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“If we allow that on Sunday, we will be in trouble. I told my teammates that we need to kill their time and space on the ball. If we get shoulders on bodies and take the space away, they will not be as effective.”
The Bok utility back has now settled into a scrumhalf role and while she might not have as much leeway as in the Sevens code – where she has scored a number of long-range individual tries – Roos still backs herself to give it a go.
“I would love scoring against them in Fifteens as well,” she said. “I scored some good tries against them in Sevens and it will be nice to repeat that on Sunday.”
“Having said that, some of those Sevens tries came thanks to my teammates as well, and I would need their help again,” said Roos. “It will have to be a team effort from us on Sunday.”
The squad are training with Japan on Wednesday, as they step up the intensity for the weekend. The Springbok Women’s match-23 will be announced on Friday and all 32 players are currently available for selection.
Springbok Women 2025 Rugby World Cup Squad
Sanelisiwe Charlie (Bulls Daisies) – 26 caps, 10 points *
Xoliswa Khuzwayo (Golden Lions Women) – 8 caps, 0 points
Yonela Ngxingolo (Bulls Daisies) – 35 caps, 15 points *
Babalwa Latsha (vice-captain, unattached) – 36 caps, 30 points *
Nombuyekezo Mdliki (Border Ladies) – 5 caps, 0 points
Micke Gunter (Leicester Tigers Women, England) – 13 caps, 5 points *
Lindelwa Gwala (Unattached) – 35 caps, 75 points *
Luchell Hanekom (DHL Western Province) – 9 caps, 0 points
Nolusindiso Booi (captain, DHL Western Province) – 52 caps, 5 points *
Danelle Lochner (Harlequins Women) – 19 caps, 10 points
Nomsa Mokwai (DHL Western Province) –13 caps, 0 points
Anathi Qolo (Bulls Daisies) – 9 caps, 5 points
Vainah Ubisi (Bulls Daisies) – 18 caps, 15 points
Aseza Hele (Sanlam Boland Dames) – 28 caps, 65 points *
Catha Jacobs (unattached) – 22 caps, 5 points *
Lerato Makua (Bulls Daisies) – 15 caps, 15 points *
Sinazo Mcatshulwa (Unattached) – 38 caps, 55 points*
Sizophila Solontsi (Bulls Daisies) – 28 caps, 45 points*
Faith Tshauke (Bulls Daisies) – 3 caps, 15 points
Unam Tose (Bulls Daisies) – 27 caps, 12 points *
Tayla Kinsey (Sharks Women) – 40 caps, 53 points*
Libbie Janse van Rensburg (Bulls Daisies) – 27 caps, 209 points *
Mary Zulu (Sharks Women) – 15 caps, 40 points
Zintle Mpupha (Bulls Daisies) – 26 caps, 106 points*
Aphiwe Ngwevu (Border Ladies) – 27 caps, 60 points*
Chumisa Qawe (Bulls Daisies) – 22 caps, 20 points*
Eloise Webb (Border Ladies) – 17 caps, 30 points *
Jakkie Cilliers (Bulls Daisies) – 19 caps, 106 points *
Ayanda Malinga (Bulls Daisies) – 13 caps, 65 points
Maceala Samboya (Sanlam Boland Dames) – 4 caps, 20 points
Byrhandré Dolf (Bulls Daisies) – 22 caps, 37 points
Nadine Roos (Unattached) – 18 caps, 35 points*
* Previous RWC experience.
Team Management
Swys de Bruin (Head Coach)
Laurian Johannes-Haupt (Assistant Coach)
Bafana Nhleko (Assistant Coach)
Franzel September (Assistant Coach)
Naasier Parker (Strength and Conditioning Coach)
Zenay Jordaan (World Rugby Gallagher High Performance Academy Coach)
Moshe Magethi (Team Doctor)
Neda Isaacs (Physiotherapist)
Lezane Ward (Physiotherapist)
Thandiswa Nxomani (Team Manager)
JJ Harmse (Media Manager)
Zwonaka Mbedzi (Analyst)
Thembisa Nxopo (Operations)
Springbok Women Rugby World Cup 2025 Pool D Schedule (SA times)
Sunday 24 August
15h45: SA v Brazil (Franklin’s Gardens, Northampton)
Sunday 31 August
16h30: SA v Italy (York Community Stadium, York)
Sunday 7 September
17h45: SA v France (Franklin’s Gardens, Northampton)
Original Copy: SA Rugby Communications, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: Springbok Women star Nadine Roos is keen for the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 action to get underway, and she sees Sunday’s opening encounter as an ideal opportunity for the Women Boks. Photo: Springbok Women / Gallo Images
Photo 2 Caption: Nadine Roos is keen to add some RWC 2025 Fifteens tries against Brazil to those scored in the Sevens code. File Photo: World Rugby / Zach Franzen
Photo 3 Caption: Captain Cindy Booi and Swys de Bruin smile during the World Cup opening ceremony. Photo: Eddie Keogh / World Rugby via Getty Images
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