Springbok Women name squad for tough Canada Tests ahead of World Cup

The players will assemble in Johannesburg on Sunday ahead of the first of two Tests against world number two Canada.

Both Tests will be played as curtain-raisers to the Springboks' double-header against Italy, at Loftus Versfeld on 5 July and Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on 12 July.

Regular captain Nolusindiso Booi - the most capped player in Springbok Women's history - is among the 16 forwards named by performance coach Swys de Bruin for the upcoming Test squad. The match-day 23 for the first Test will be confirmed next Thursday.

The squad is not short on experience, with only three forwards - Nombuyekezo Mdliki, Luchell Hanekom and Danelle Lochner - having not featured at the last Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. Of the 10 backs selected, nine were part of that tournament squad, with Byrhandre Dolf the only exception.

However, Dolf has featured in all 20 Tests the Springbok Women have played since then, making her debut against Canada in 2023 - the last time the two teams met. Canada won that encounter 66-7 on 25 March in Madrid, an indication of the challenge that awaits the women in green and gold.

Mdliki, Hanekom, Nomsa Mokwai, Lerato Makua, Unam Tose and Dolf are the only players from the squad that lifted the Rugby Africa Women's Cup in Antananarivo earlier this month. De Bruin said the recent performances by the team in Madagascar did influence selection, but the planning for the first Test against Canada was done earlier in the season.

"We have established what we wanted to get out of the first Test against Canada a while back and these six players were amongst those that we wanted to give more game time and experience in Madagascar," he said.

"It is a very experienced group overall and we have a good idea of the match day 23 already. We also have 13 players on standby and not in camp, but still in the running for selection in the second test match."

De Bruin said they are under no illusions about the challenge ahead as Canada achieved stunning success in the recent Pacific Four tournament. They beat Australia by 45-7 in Brisbane, drew 27-27 with New Zealand in Christchurch, and beat the USA 26-14 in Kansas City.

"They are second in the world, and we are ranked twelfth, so the gap is massive, and we are certainly huge underdogs," he added.

"But we wanted to be tested against a top side before the Rugby World Cup and this is it. We are hoping to be tested physically and tactically by Canada and our focus will be on how to respond to those challenges."

Springbok Women squad

Forwards: Sanelisiwe Charlie, Yonela Ngxingolo, Nombuyekezo Mdliki, Babalwa Latsha, Azisa Mkiva, Luchell Hanekom, Micke Gunter, Lindelwa Gwala, Nolusindiso Booi, Nomsa Mokwai, Danelle Lochner, Catha Jacobs, Sinazo Mcatshulwa, Lerato Makua, Sizophila Solontsi, Aseza Hele

Backs: Unam Tose, Tayla Kinsey, Libbie Janse van Rensburg, Chumisa Qawe, Zintle Mpupha, Eloise Webb, Ayanda Malinga, Jakkie Cilliers, Nadine Roos, Byrhandre Dolf

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