The Springbok Women face a clash against Italy on Sunday that can pave their way to a historic qualification for the World Cup knockout stage should they pull of a victory.
Utility back Nadine Roos will start at fullback and Unam Tose at scrumhalf for the Springbok Women against Italy in York, while Chumisa Qawe and Eloise Webb will make their first appearances at the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 at the York Community Stadium on Sunday.
Kick off is at 16:30.
Springbok Women’s team to face Italy in York:
15 Nadine Roos – 19 caps, 40 points (6 tries, 5 conversions)
14 Byrhandré Dolf – 23 caps, 53 points (7 tries, 9 conversions)
13 Zintle Mpupha – 27 caps, 106 points (20 tries, 3 conversions)
12 Chumisa Qawe – 22 caps, 20 points (4 tries)
11 Ayanda Malinga – 15 caps, 75 points (15 tries)
10 Libbie Janse van Rensburg – 28 caps, 219 points (14 tries, 55 conversions, 12 penalty goals, 1 drop goal)
9 Unam Tose – 28 caps, 12 points (2 tries, 1 conversion)
8 Aseza Hele – 29 caps, 80 points (16 tries)
7 Sinazo Mcatshulwa – 39 caps, 55 points (11 tries)
6 Sizophila Solontsi – 29 caps, 45 points (9 tries)
5 Danelle Lochner – 20 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
4 Nolusindiso Booi (captain) – 53 caps, 5 points (1 try)
3 Babalwa Latsha (vice-captain) – 37 caps, 30 points (6 tries)
2 Lindelwa Gwala – 36 caps, 75 points (15 tries)
1 Sanelisiwe Charlie – 27 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
Replacements:
16 Micke Gunter – 14 caps, 5 points (1 try)
17 Yonela Ngxingolo – 36 caps, 15 points (3 tries)
18 Nombuyekezo Mdliki – 6 caps, 0 points
19 Vainah Ubisi – 19 caps, 15 points (3 tries)
20 Lerato Makua – 16 caps, 20 points (4 tries)
21 Catha Jacobs – 23 caps, 5 points (1 try)
22 Eloise Webb – 17 caps, 30 points (6 tries)
23 Aphiwe Ngwevu – 28 caps, 65 points (13 tries)
Italy: 15 Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi, 14 Aura Muzzo, 13 Michela Sillari, 12 Beatrice Rigoni, 11 Alyssa D’Inca, 10 Emma Stevanin, 9 Sofia Stefan, 8 Elisa Giordana Duca, 7 Beatrice Veronese, 6 Francesca Sgorbini, 5 Giordana Duca, 4 Sara Tounesi, 3 Sara Seye, 2 Vittoria Veccheni, 1 Silvia Turani.
Replacements: 16 Layra Gurioli, 17 Emanuela Stecca, 18 Gaia Maris, 19 Valeria Fedrighi, 20 Alissa Ranuccini, 21 Alia Bitonci, 22 Sara Mannini, 23 Francesca Granzotto.
Records:
- Nolusindiso Booi will extend her record as most capped Bok Women player. She was also named captain for the 25th time, another team record.
- Booi (lock, 53), Babalwa Latsha (prop, 37), Sinazo Mcatshulwa (flanker, 39), Lindelwa Gwala (hooker, 36) will extend their Test caps records in their respective positions.
- Libbie Janse van Rensburg could extend the record (219) for most points in a Test career for the Springbok Women.
- Zintle Mpupha could extend the record for most tries (20) in a Test career for the Springbok Women.
Head-to-Head – South Africa v Italy:
25/11/2018 (Prato): 10-35
20/10/2023 (Athlone): 18-36
12/10/2024 (Athlone): 19-23
Rugby World Cup records:
Most appearances:
15: Zandile Nojoko
13: Lamla Momoti, Zenay Jordaan
12: Cebisa Kula, Nolusindiso Booi
Most points in a match:
16: Byrhandré Dolf (v Brazil, 2025)
Most tries in a match:
3: Aseza Hele (v Brazil, 2025)
Match details:
Venue: York Community Stadium, York
SA time: 16:30
Referee: Ella Goldsmith (Australia)
Assistant referees: Precious Pazani (Zimbabwe), Maria Heitor (Portugal)
TMO: Andrew McMenemy (Scotland)
Bunker: Ian Tempest (England)
WHAT IS YOUR SCORE PREDICTION?
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