With a career spanning over 14 years as well as being the most capped Springbok Women’s player, Nolusindiso Booi knows a thing or two about leadership.
Hailing from the Eastern Cape, she has gone on to captain the national team over several years and is one of the first players who became recognisable in women’s rugby. Now, fast-forward to 2024, and she is hoping to continue to lead her team to more glory.
She donned the captain’s armband during the recent WXV 2 tournament, where she led her side to some big performances, which showed the improvement they have made since the inaugural event last year. But back to all things leadership, Booi holds the task of being able to guide those around her very close to her heart.
“It is a great honour that comes with a lot of respect and trust. To me, it’s that those around me trust and respect me. I also know I’m not perfect; I do make a lot of mistakes, but I will always hold myself accountable to that.”
The Most-Capped Springbok Women’s Player, Nolusindiso Booi
Within the Springbok Women’s team, many players can be seen as leaders, notably stalwart Babalwa Latsha, who has been a figurehead on and off the field. Who can forget that she made history by becoming the first South African woman to sign a professional contract in 2020?
This big move opened the door for many of her counterparts. Lusanda Dumke is another player who has led the women’s national team and also captains the Bulls Daisies, who were the winners of the Team of the Year at the recent gsport Awards.
Booi says the fact that the Springbok Women’s team is filled with leaders makes her job easier, but there are times she has to make the final call, as a leader does in certain situations.
“I am not leading alone, so I do involve my teammates’ input, but I do make decisions at times where I know I will have to answer when things go south into east. I do my best to make sure I know all my teammates.”
Now when you are such an outstanding leader like Booi, who does she use as her mentor? Booi spoke fondly of none other than Mandisa Williams. The former Bok women’s captain was inducted into the gsport Hall of Fame in September for her contribution to the game, on and off the field. It is clear to see the impact that Williams has made on those she has played with and coached, and Booi is one of them.
Photo: World Rugby
“I remember her welcoming me to Border when I came in for the first time, and she helped me because I was still new to the game and there were a lot of things I didn’t understand. It was my first year playing rugby and playing for a professional side. I remember this one time we were playing against UKZN, and I injured my finger. I started to cry, and she looked me in the eyes and said, if you want to go out, who will play in your position? When I answered back, no one, she said you will have to finish the game. What I am trying to say is that I learned a lot of things from her, and I like her leadership style; she was bold and brave.”
“She was never scared to say what she wanted to say, even though I might be a bit softer. She was the type of person that would say whatever she feels she needs to say at that particular time.”
“If you feel it’s something that might not sit well with you, she doesn’t mean that; she just means it for that particular time, just to switch you on so that you can be in the game. There is a lot that I can say because I was under her wing until I left; she is one of the best, and she is someone I will always remember from the beginning of my rugby career.”
Booi, along with her Springbok Women teammates, will have a break from international duty and return to their respective unions after what was a gruelling few weeks. The team got off to a flying start with a win over Japan in the recent WXV 2 campaign; they then put in a strong effort against Australia, which ended in a narrow loss, and fell to a defeat to Scotland in their final match.
She praised her team for their efforts over the past month as they worked hard at putting in some improved performances, but she knows there is still room for improvement.
“I could have done better; we don’t have a good start that at times cost us as a team. We try, yes, we are doing better, but better is not enough; we could have been better. Still proud of each player though.”
Booi has represented both the national 15s and 7s sides as well as played in three Rugby World Cups; according to her, she is working hard to possibly add a fourth to her name. She has had a front-row seat to just how the game has grown. She says she, along with her fellow players, would not be here if it wasn’t for the women who got the ball rolling years ago.
“First of all, I want to say thank you to the ones who paved the way for all of us to play the sport. Things were not like this then, but now things are changing because of what they started. Yes, women’s rugby is growing a lot, and it’s getting better each day.”
South Africa has become a world leader when it comes to growing women’s rugby, and Springbok men’s captain Siya Kolisi has certainly been doing his part in making sure the female players get the recognition they deserve. Booi says having an ally like Kolisi is invaluable to growing the game.
“His support means a lot to us, and he is an inspiration to the team. We appreciate all of the love and support that he gives us all the time!”
Main Photo Caption: With a career spanning over 14 years as well as being the most capped Springbok Women’s player, Nolusindiso Booi knows a thing or two about leadership. Photo: World Rugby
Photo 2 Caption: Hailing from the Eastern Cape, Booi has gone on to captain the national team. Photo: World Rugby
Photo 3 Caption: Booi praised her team for their efforts over the past month, but she knows there is still room for improvement. Photo: World Rugby
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