South Africa W v Brazil W - teams and prediction

After months of intense preparation – filled with sweat, tears, and even blood – the Springbok Women are finally ready to kick off their World Cup 2025 campaign.

Their opening clash against Brazil takes place this Sunday at Franklin’s Gardens in England.

The stakes are high, but the objective is clear: reach the quarterfinals and go from there.

South Africa have just one goal in mind, and performance coach Swys de Bruin stated it perfectly during the media briefing at the team’s hotel on Friday.

“Target, target, target… yes, our target is to make the quarters and then see what happens,” said performance coach Swys de Bruin during a media briefing in England on Friday.

The previous edition of the Women’s World Cup was nothing short of heartbreaking for South Africa. They left the tournament winless, having suffered heavy defeats to France (40-5), Fiji (21-17), and England (75-0).

But this time, things are different.

The team enters the tournament better prepared, having tested themselves against elite sides like second-ranked Canada and the Black Ferns XV. A confidence-boosting win over the Black Ferns XV at Athlone Stadium was the perfect send-off.

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Drawing from the Rassie playbook

Despite being favourites against Brazil, De Bruin insists the team is not underestimating their opponents – and is leaning on lessons from Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus, who guided the Springboks to back-to-back World Cup titles.

“Last time, we couldn’t win a game at the World Cup. So from the word go, we want to see if we can pull off the first win – that’s our first goal,” De Bruin said.

“Second goal is to make the quarters, and the third goal from there – anything can happen.

“The men did the same in the World Cup. They said Scotland, only Scotland. Forget the rest. And Rassie said it a few times – so that’s our aim.

“Monday morning, whatever happens Sunday, Monday morning we’ll think of the next step.

“It happens so easily in sport, in life, that you think ahead too much and you forget about the next scrum or the next thing.

“It’s a cliché, it’s process-driven, but it’s really what we try to do – not to get ahead of ourselves.”

De Bruin has named an extremely experienced side for the opener against Brazil – a move that underlines the respect he holds for Brazil.

“The big thing is – and I’ve got to say it a few times – we cannot underestimate them whatsoever.

“You speak to Nadine Roos and the sevens girls and Eloise [Webb], and they’ll tell you – they’ve got four, five, six bloody good rugby players in the backline. They’ve improved a lot.

“There’s a reason why they’re in the World Cup.

“We expect a massive first 20 minutes. I think they’ll want to show everyone they belong here, so the first 20 minutes will be a dogfight.

“I can tell you that. It’ll be very hard, it’ll be very tough – and that’s what we’re preparing for.”

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Brazil’s big moment

For Brazil, this World Cup debut is a moment of national pride. Head coach Emiliano Caffera reflected on the emotion surrounding their historic first appearance.

“I am very proud – extremely proud,” said Caffera.

” It’s not only the first World Cup for me, it also is for the group, so, I feel very proud for that too.

“It’s our first World Cup match, so we are expecting a lot of intensity and emotion.”

The coach admitted that facing South Africa’s physicality will be a major challenge.

“They have big players who run very straight. They have a good scrum and a good maul – that is South Africa.”

Prediction:
Rugby365: South Africa by 20 points

Teams: 

South Africa: 15 Byrhandré Dolf, 14 Maceala Samboya, 13 Zintle Mpupha, 12 Aphiwe Ngwevu, 11 Ayanda Malinga, 10 Libbie Janse van Rensburg, 9 Nadine Roos, 8 Aseza Hele, 7 Sinazo Mcatshulwa, 6 Sizophila Solontsi, 5 Danelle Lochner, 4 Nolusindiso Booi (captain), 3 Babalwa Latsha (vice-captain), 2 Lindelwa Gwala, 1 Sanelisiwe Charlie
Replacements: 16 Micke Gunter, 17 Yonela Ngxingolo, 18 Nombuyekezo Mdliki, 19 Vainah Ubisi, 20 Lerato Makua, 21 Catha Jacobs, 22 Unam Tose, 23 Jakkie Cilliers

Brazil: 15 Bianca Silva, 14 Giovanna Barth Moreira, 13 Marina Fioravanti, 12 Mariana Nicolau, 11 Edna Santini, 10 Raquel Kochhann, 9 Aline Mayumi Bednarski, 8 Camilla Carvalho, 7 Larissa Alves Carvalho, 6 Larissa Fernanda LIma Silva Hendwood, 5 Marcelle da Cruz de Souza, 4 Eshyllen Coimbra, 3 Tais Gomes da Costa Prioste, 2 Julia Leni de Lima, 1 Franciele Barros.
Replacements: 16 Isabela Gomes Saccomanno, 17 Samara Vergara, 18 Giovana Mamede, 19 Dayana Dakar, 20 Leticia Silva Ferreira, 21 Luiza Gonzalez da Costa Campos, 22 Fernanda Tenorio, 23 Isadora Lopes

Referee: Hollie Davidson (Scotland)
Assistant referees: Holly Wood (England), Jess Ling (Australia)
TMO: Ian Tempest (England)