How a 22-year-old broke all the Bok Women RWC records
SPOTLIGHT: Utility backline player Byrhandré Dolf topped the points charts for the Springbok Women at the conclusion of their 2025 Women’s World Cup campaign and spearheaded several records achieved by the team in their best-ever performance at the global tournament.
The Bok Women have moved to an all-time high of 10th position on the World Rugby rankings, and beat Italy for the first time in their history, qualifying for their first RWC quarterfinal.
Dolf kicked 27 points and covered the most metres in four matches played in a tournament that also resulted in the biggest win ever for the Springbok Women, a 66-6 defeat of Brazil 66-6 in their opening Pool D match.
Her 12 conversions and a penalty goal pushed Dolf past Zandile Nojoko’s record of 26 points scored at Rugby World Cups, but where Dolf achieved that in four matches at one tournament, it took Nojoko 15 matches at three tournaments.
Playing at fullback and wing, Dolf’s counterattacks earned her the team gong for most running metres, covering 293 meters, just edging Nadine Roos, who made 290 metres.
Dolf explained how she ended up as the goal kicker: “Before our match against Brazil, coach Swys suggested that the three kickers – myself, Libbie [Janse van Rensburg], and Jakkie [Cilliers] – must have a kick-out to ensure that whoever is striking the ball best on the day, would kick in the match. So, the call came to me, and luckily I kicked well during the tournament.”
Aseza Hele scored South Africa’s first hat-trick in a Women’s Rugby World Cup when she dotted down three times against Brazil, and the barnstorming No 8 bagged another five-pointer against Italy. Her four tries are the most by any player ever, while Roos (3) and Ayanda Malinga (3) are now second on that list of RWC try scorers.
In total, the Bok Women scored 112 points, their most ever, guided by the 19 tries, another high mark for the squad. They only conceded 76 points, their lowest ever, while the 12 tries conceded is their best defensive effort yet at this tournament.
The team also tackled like never before, with Sinazo Mcatshulwa (28) topping that chart, followed by Aseza Hele (24), Sizophila Solontsi and Babalwa Latsha (23 each).
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Bok Women RWC stats:
Most caps: Zandile Nojoko (15), Nolusindiso Booi (14)
Most Points: Byrhandré Dolf (27), Zandile Nojoko (26)
Most tries: Aseza Hele (4), Ayanda Malinga and Nadine Roos (3)
Most conversions: Byrhandré Dolf (12)
Most penalty goals: Zandile Njoko (4).
Biggest victory: 60 points (66-6 vs Brazil, 2025)
Biggest defeat: 75 points (0-75 vs England, 2022)
