Roos eager to get going at Women’s Rugby World Cup

Sunday’s Women’s Rugby World Cup opener between South Africa and Brazil at Franklin’s Garden in Northampton may be the first Test between the two nations but for Springbok Women utility back Nadine Roos, some of her opponents will not be unfamiliar.

Alongside her teammates Ayanda Malinga, Eloise Webb, Zintle Mpupha and Sizophila Solontsi, Roos has played Brazil four times in the 2024 HSBC SVNS series.

Unfortunately, the South Americans were victorious in three of those encounters, despite brave efforts from especially Roos, who scored some specacular tries against the team in yellow.

This time however, playing in a different code, Roos said she is determined that a different result will follow as the Bok Women went through their paces at their training base in Kettering, a short drive from Sunday’s match venue.

“Those matches were very close with one score or try that made the difference, it was only in one of those defeats where we were outplayed,” said Roos.

“So yes, I definately believe we can give it back to them this time, different code or not. Rugby remains rugby and we want to win when we play for our country, especially at a Rugby World Cup.”

Roos said the fact that almost 80% of their sevens regulars are in the Brazilian RWC squad prove their worth.

“Those speedsters are really fast and adding to that, their playmakers have the ability to provide them ball in space,” she said.

“If we allow that on Sunday, we will be in trouble. I told my teammates that we need to kill their time and space on the ball. If we get shoulders on bodies and take the space away, they will not be as effective.”

The Bok utility back has now settled in a scrumhalf role and while she might not have as much leeway as in the sevens code – where she has scored a number of long-range individual tries – Roos still backs herself to give it a go.

“I would love scoring against them in fifteens as well,” she said. “I scored some good tries against them in sevens and it will be nice to repeat that on Sunday.

“Having said that, some those sevens tries came thanks to my teammates as well and I would need their help again. It will have to be a team effort from us on Sunday.”

The squad will train with Japan on Wednesday as they step up the intensity for the weekend. The Springbok Women’s match-23 will be announced on Friday and all 32 players are currently available for selection.

Springbok Women 2025 Rugby World Cup squad

Props: Sanelisiwe Charlie, Xoliswa Khuzwayo, Yonela Ngxingolo, Babalwa Latsha, Nombuyekezo Mdliki.

Hookers: Micke Gunter, Lindelwa Gwala, Luchell Hanekom.

Locks: Nolusindiso Booi (captain), Danelle Lochner, Nomsa Mokwai, Anathi Qolo, Vainah Ubisi.

Utility and loose forwards: Aseza Hele, Catha Jacobs, Lerato Makua, Sinazo Mcatshulwa, Sizophila Solontsi, Faith Tshauke.

Scrumhalves: Unam Tose, Tayla Kinsey.

Flyhalves: Libbie Janse van Rensburg, Mary Zulu.

Centres: Zintle Mpupha, Aphiwe Ngwevu, Chumisa Qawe, Eloise Webb.

Outside backs: Jakkie Cilliers, Ayanda Malinga, Maceala Samboya.

Utility backs: Byrhandré Dolf, Nadine Roos.

Pool D schedule (SA times)

Sunday 24 August

3.45pm: SA v Brazil (Franklin’s Gardens, Northampton)

Sunday 31 August

4.30pm: SA v Italy (York Community Stadium, York)

Sunday 7 September

5.45pm: SA v France (Franklin’s Gardens, Northampton)

The Rugby World Cup quarter-finals will be played on the weekend of 13/14 September, with the semi-finals on 19/20 September and the final on Saturday, 27 September.

Team Management

Swys de Bruin (head coach)

Laurian Johannes-Haupt (assistant coach)

Bafana Nhleko (assistant coach)

Franzel September (assistant coach)

Naasier Parker (strength and conditioning coach)

Zenay Jordaan (World Rugby Gallagher High Performance Academy coach)

Moshe Magethi (team doctor)

Neda Isaacs (physiotherapist)

Lezane Ward (physiotherapist)

Thandiswa Nxomani (team manager)

JJ Harmse (media manager)

Zwonaka Mbedzi (analyst)

Thembisa Nxopo (operations)