Nolusindiso Booi might be achieving a milestone 50th test cap for South Africa, but for the Springbok Women’s captain, there is no “I” in team when they face Spain in their season opener on Saturday afternoon.
Not only does she have an important role to play in a pack of forwards demanded of to provide front foot ball, but the nature of Booi – since she started playing with the Springbok on her chest – is always to put the team first. Nothing has changed since 2010, when she made her debut as a 24-year-old.
“I am nervous and excited about the game, but in a good way,” said Booi from the team's base in Alicante, in the south-east of Spain, on Thursday.
“The most important thing will be the fact that we get our season underway, so this will be a good way for us as a team to measure our progress and preparation. This game will be of massive value to us as we will know exactly where we are with the World Cup coming towards us at a fast pace.
“This match will start it all and from here on in, there is no turning back for us. The Rugby World Cup will be real after we have played Spain on Saturday.”
When asked about it, Booi immediately deflected the milestone question: “Yes, it is my 50th, but it should not be the focus for me. I need to put the team first and I will.
“Going out there for the 50th cap is amazing but going out there to serve my team and country, is even better. I just want to go out and enjoy myself, do good for me, but also for my team,” Booi laid out her plans for Saturday.
Seeing that South Africa and Spain have played each other five times in recent seasons, it’s no wonder they are the country Booi has faced the most in her career – in five tests – so she has a good idea of what to do to keep the recent winning streak.
“The physical part of it is a given for all 23, but the forwards know exactly what is expected of us. We have some plans for tomorrow and yes, it involves the pack,” she smiled.
“Playing Spain so many times in recent years has been great, they are not playing in the Six Nations and also need opponents in order to gain experience and improve.
“We are in exactly the same boat, so we are very grateful to them to have given us so many opportunities over the last couple of seasons. This year it is even better as both of us are getting ready for the World Cup, so both sides will benefit a lot out of this match.”
While all the attention will be on Booi’s achievement, Alicia Willemse will also have a day to remember as she is in line to make her test debut off the bench.
Willemse toured Europe a year ago, but did not form part of the two match-day squads for the tests, but that has changed for the scrumhalf, who also made her debut for the Springbok Women’s Sevens earlier this season.
“I am very happy for Alicia and my message would be a simple one: play hard and be fearless, those are things that will keep you in this system. But remember to enjoy it as well,” Booi said.
The Bok captain revealed that she had some words of comfort for her provincial teammate at DHL Western Province a year ago: “I did speak to Alicia then as we do when players are down. She has been working hard, and I could see the effort she had put in and now it will bring her reward, something that is always great to see.”
The Spanish Rugby Federation has moved the test from the original venue in Elche to the Bonalba Resort Rugby Field near Alicante.
SELECTED STATS:
Nolusindiso Booi will become the first Springbok Women player to reach 50 test caps.
Tayla Kinsey will extend her record for most test caps at scrumhalf to 39, while she is also the second most capped player after Booi.
Sinazo Mcatshulwa (loose forward, 35), Lindelwa Gwala (hooker, 34) and Babalwa Latsha (prop, 33) will also extend their records as most capped Springbok Women's player in their positions.
Libbie Janse van Rensburg could extend her test points scoring record for South Africa. She has scored 204 points thus far in her career (11 tries, 55 conversions, 12 penalties, 1 drop goal).
If Alicia Willemse comes off the bench for her test debut, she will become Springbok Women’s player #176.
FIXTURES
Saturday, 19 April
Bonalba Resort Rugby Field, Alicante
17h00
SS Variety 2
Livestream: Springboks YouTube
HEAD-TO-HEAD:
17 August 2014 (Paris): Spain 36, South Africa 0
17 November 2018 (Villajoyosa): Spain 17, South Africa 5
21 September 2019 (Despatch): South Africa 12, Spain 29
13 August 2022 (Johannesburg): South Africa 44, Spain 5
19 August 2022 (Potchefstroom): South Africa 37, Spain 14
1 April 2023 (Madrid): Spain 20, South Africa 35
23 March 2024 (Valladolid): Spain 13, South Africa 15
19 September 2024 (Cape Town): South Africa 36, Spain 19
TEAM TO FACE SPAIN:
15. Nadine Roos - 15 caps, 35 points (5 tries, 5 conversions)
14. Jakkie Cilliers - 16 caps, 80 points (2 tries, 16 conversions, 2 penalty goals)
13. Chumisa Qawe (vice-captain) - 19 caps, 20 points (4 tries)
12. Aphiwe Ngwevu - 23 caps, 40 points (8 tries)
11. Ayanda Malinga - 11 caps, 60 points (12 tries)
10. Libbie Janse Rensburg - 24 caps, 204 points (11 tries, 55 conversions, 12 penalties, 1 drop goal)
9. Tayla Kinsey - 38 caps, 48 points (2 tries, 16 conversions, 2 penalty goals)
8. Aseza Hele - 25 caps, 55 points (11 tries)
7. Sinazo Mcatshulwa - 35 caps, 50 points (10 tries)
6. Sizophila Solontsi - 25 caps, 40 points (8 tries)
5. Anathi Qolo - 5 caps, 0 points
4. Nolusindiso Booi (captain) - 49 caps, 5 points (1 try)
3. Babalwa Latsha - 33 caps, 30 points (6 tries)
2. Lindelwa Gwala - 34 caps, 70 points (14 tries)
1. Sanelisiwe Charlie – 23 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
REPLACEMENTS:
16. Luchell Hanekom - 3 caps, 0 points
17. Yonela Ngxingolo – 32 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
18. Azisa Mkiva - 12 caps, 0 points
19. Danelle Lochner - 16 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
20. Catha Jacobs - 19 caps, 5 points (1 try)
21. Alica Willemse - uncapped
22. Eloise Webb - 14 caps, 30 points (6 tries)
23. Byrhandre Dolf - 16 caps, 15 points (3 tries)