South Africa W v Canada W - teams and prediction
PREVIEW: The opportunity to play in front of family and friends is a strong incentive to deliver a performance that will be remembered by all attending their Test match against Canada at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday.
However, for Springbok Women captain, Nolusindiso Booi, it also offers them the chance to showcase the growth of the team as they move towards the World Cup in England next month.
Booi said they are aware of the strengths of their opponents, who outplayed them 50-20 in Pretoria last weekend, but they see that as a motivating factor, and combined with the desire to get things right, should deliver a more competitive result from the Springbok Women.
“A lot of our players in the squad have Eastern Cape roots and we all know how popular and strong the women’s game is in these areas, so we are determined to produce a special performance – something that the coaches will be happy about and that will make the country proud,” said Booi on Friday.
“They are not ranked two in the world for nothing and were clinical last week, when they exposed some of our shortcomings, so we know how tough this battle will be.”
According to the experienced Bok Women captain, who will play in a career-high 52nd Test match for South Africa, they were found wanting at the breakdown area last weekend and focused a lot on that area of play during their training sessions this week.
“We were penalised heavily at the breakdowns and that not only stopped our momentum but gave them free ball, and the opportunity to get points on the board,” she said.
“We did adapt, especially in the second half, but by then we were playing catch-up rugby. This week will have a different outcome, I believe.”
They are also looking to use their areas of strength to put Canada under pressure: “We are a set-piece team, that is no secret, so we will be looking at those areas to get an advantage.
“We got good reward with scrum penalties last week and we are hoping to get good momentum with our mauls again, and those two factors can benefit us in chasing the win. We had real good moments in Pretoria, but also lapses which they exploited, so we will be looking to cut those out of our game.
“We have a lot to play for, and a good performance here will do us the world of good. Knowing the home crowd, I urge them to come early and watch us play as well. We need all the support, and the more spectators in the stadium, the better we will perform.”
Carissa Norsten, the 2024 HSBC SVNS Rookie of the Year, will earn her first cap for Canada’s 15s team, starting on the wing.
Taylor McKnight, a hooker from the University of Guelph, is also in line for her international debut after being named as the reserve hooker.
Sophie de Goede returns to the Canadian lineup for the first time in over a year, following a knee injury. She will start the match on the bench. De Goede last represented Canada in the team’s historic victory over New Zealand during the 2024 Pacific Four Series.
“One of the main purposes of this tour was to make sure all 32 players got valuable playing experience and to give them the opportunity to showcase themselves on the field,” said head coach Kevin Rouet.
“It was a tough encounter in altitude last weekend, it’s now time to keep growing and gaining experience with our next game.
“You’ll see that there are a lot of changes to our team compared to last week but this tour was about building our depth and confidence ahead of the World Cup. I am excited to see how this group performs this week.”
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Head-to-Head:
August 13, 2009: SA lost 17-35, Ontario
August 2, 2011: SA lost 17-52, Ontario
August 7, 2013: SA lost 17-53, Greely, Colorado
March 25, 2023: SA lost 7-66, Madrid
July 5, 2025: SA lost 50-20, Pretoria
Predictions:
Rugby365: Canada by 10
Teams:
South Africa Women: 15 Byrhandré Dolf, 14 Jakkie Cilliers, 13 Zintle Mpupha, 12 Libbie Janse van Rensburg, 11 Ayanda Malinga, 10 Eloise Webb, 9 Nadine Roos, 8 Aseza Hele, 7 Catha Jacobs, 6 Sizophila Solontsi, 5 Danelle Lochner,
4 Nolusindiso Booi (captain), 3 Babalwa Latsha, 2 Micke Gunter, 1 Sanelisiwe Charlie.
Replacements: 16 Luchell Hanekom, 17 Yonela Ngxingolo, 18 Azisa Mkiva, 19 Nomsa Mokwai, 20 Sinazo Mcatshulwa, 21 Lerato Makua, 22 Unam Tose, 23 Chumisa Qawe.
Canada: 15 Julia Schell, 14 Krissy Scurfield, 13 Shoshanah Seumanutafa, 12 Maddy Grant, 11 Carissa Norsten, 10 Claire Gallagher, 9 Justine Pelletie, 8 Gabrielle Senft, 7 Karen Paquin, 6 Pamphinette Buisa, 5 Laetitia Royer, 4 Tyson Beukeboom, 3 Olivia DeMerchant, 2 Gillian Boag, 1 Brittany Kassil
Replacements: 16 Taylor McKnight, 17 Mikiela Nelson, 18 Rori Wood, 19 Courtney O’Donnell, 20 Rachel Smith, 21 Sophie de Goede, 22 Olivia Apps, 23 Florence Symonds
Date: Saturday, July 12
Venue: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha
Kick-off: 13.30 (11.30 GMT; 07.30 Canada time)
Referee: Precious Pazani (Zimbabwe)
Assistant Referees: Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa), Zoe Naude (South Africa)
TMO: Christie du Preez (South Africa)
