Captain Nolusindiso Booi is one of six DHL Western Province players named in the Springbok Women team to play France in their opening Pool C match of the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.
Lock Booi leads a team that also includes DHL Western Province prop Babalwa Latsha, flank Sinazo Mcatshulwa, centre Zintle Mpupha, wing Simamkele Namba and with hooker Roseline Botes on the replacements bench.
Coach Stanley Raubenheimer named both his Rugby World Cup veterans, Booi and Zenay Jordaan, in the squad, with Booi leading the team out at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday.
Jordaan is named on the bench and will equal the Springbok Women record of 34 Test caps held by Zandile Nojoko when she gets a run on Saturday.
Raubenheimer also named Tayla Kinsey at halfback and prop Asithandile Ntoyanto on the bench, meaning that all four players with previous Rugby World Cup experience will be involved in the opening match of the global showpiece.
Raubenheimer said he has the utmost confidence in his charges.
“I had a pretty good idea of what my starting team was going to look like for a while now, and I told the players before we departed South Africa what everyone’s role will be in this match,” said Raubenheimer.
“It is pleasing to know that the planning was spot on in terms of the preparation of this squad and I have to give credit to my medical and management staff for making sure we could select the team best suited to take on France.”
Raubenheimer said the form of the players showed their growth during the last six months: “We went to play France last year to experience the intensity they play with first hand, and it was an important first step in getting us ready for this match.
“We are now ready to deliver a result that will make the group, but also the country proud. They are one of tournament favourites’ and rightly so, but that is not an issue for us. We have a plan; we have the players. The trick is now to make sure both work in harmony.”
Springbok Women prop Latsha, who is playing in her first Rugby World Cup after 17 Tests, complimented the coaching staff for their preparation and the framework provided to the team.
“We have been working towards this match for months now – 8 October was a clear marker in our diaries, and we are all ready to confront France and the world order on Saturday,” said Latsha.
“We respect our opponents, but this game is about us and how we deliver on match day. We know a strong set piece will make things much easier for our dangerous backline, so we will target that. It is also going to be about the small things and to cut out silly mistakes as France will punish you if that happens.”
Latsha said they will not be overawed by the stadium, crowd or opponent: “It is huge for us, of course, what an honour to play the opening game. We cannot allow that to dictate our mindset though, we have a job to do and prepared well to do that to the best of our ability. Everybody back home will be watching; we cannot disappoint them.”
Springbok Women:
15 Nadine Roos
14 Nomawethu Mabenge
13 Zintle Mpupha (DHL Western Province)
12 Aphiwe Ngwevu
11 Simamkele Namba (DHL Western Province)
10 Libbie Janse van Rensburg
9 Tayla Kinsey
8 Aseza Hele
7 Sinazo Mcatshulwa (DHL Western Province)
6 Sizophila Solontsi
5 Rights Mkhari
4 Nolusindiso Booi (captain, DHL Western Province)
3 Babalwa Latsha (DHL Western Province)
2 Lindelwa Gwala
1 Sanelisiwe Charlie
Replacements:
16 Roseline Botes (DHL Western Province)
17 Asithandile Ntoyanto
18 Monica Mazibukwana
19 Catha Jacobs
20 Lusanda Dumke
21 Unam Tose
22 Zenay Jordaan
23 Eloise Webb