Experienced Bok Women team to face Barbarians

Nolusindiso Booi will lead a Springbok Women team laden with test experience against the Barbarians Women in Cape Town on Saturday, while Swys de Bruin and his coaching staff added a named a number of new players to the match-23.

Booi, South Africa’s most capped women’s player, will be flanked by vice-captains Tayla Kinsey and Lindelwa Gwala, the most experienced scrumhalf and hooker respectively, with welcome returns for Ayanda Malinga, Nadine Roos, Eloise Webb and Felicia Jacobs, all recent members of the Springbok Women’s Sevens squad.

Your #BokWomen side for Saturday's clash against @Barbarian_FC in Cape Town, the team's first in South Africa in 2024 - more here: https://t.co/BenQRb7C0k 💚💛#MakeItCount #ETTIG pic.twitter.com/SLROfapN91
— SA Women's Rugby (@WomenBoks) September 3, 2024

De Bruin opted for Roos as playmaker in her debut at flyhalf, Webb will start at outside centre and Malinga on the wing, with Jacobs (scrumhalf) named on the bench as she returns to the team for the first time since 2021.

“I am so excited to announce this group of players for this match – it was great to be involved with them over the last three weeks and I loved every minute of this new journey,” said De Bruin.

“This team has good experience, but also some exciting new additions. The players are so keen, not only to learn, but to leave their own mark on the game. They want to make the country proud and take Springbok Women's rugby to new levels.”

De Bruin invited spectators to arrive early at DHL Stadium and support the Springbok Women: “The Springboks and All Blacks will be a massive game, but so will our match against a star-studded Baabaas team. I really hope we can get the support the players deserve on Saturday. It is going to be a huge day of rugby.”

Only four players – Byrhandré Dolf, Jakkie Cilliers, Sinazo Mcatshulwa and Babalwa Latsha – started in the corresponding game between the sides almost a year ago at Athlone Stadium, while Booi, Libbie Janse van Rensburg, Danelle Lochner, Micke Gunter, Vainah Ubisi and Yonela Ngxingolo also played in the match, which the visitors won 38-26.

Malinga and Sizophila Solontsi played against the Baabaas in the historic first clash between the sides at Twickenham in London on 27 November 2021.

“It will be huge for us, playing at home for the first time this year and also running out at DHL Stadium for the first time,” said Laurian Johannes-Haupt, one of the assistant coaches.

“That aside, we are eager to get going into our first real assessment of the new squad and where we stand with regards to WXV. We are playing very experienced opponents who are widely acknowledged for their decision making and skills on rugby fields all over the world. We are counting the days to get stuck in.”

Some comments from @zintlempupha on returning to #BokWomen, the expectations of what @Barbarian_FC will bring and sharing the big stage with @Springboks @FNBSA #MakeItCount #ETTIG pic.twitter.com/bLStXk0AhX
— SA Women's Rugby (@WomenBoks) September 2, 2024