Swys names his first national team

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Nolusindiso Booi will lead the South African women’s team laden with Test experience against the Barbarians selection in Cape Town on Saturday.

Swys de Bruin has added several new players to the matchday 23.

Booi, South Africa’s most capped women’s player, will be flanked by vice-captains Tayla Kinsey and Lindelwa Gwala, the most experienced scrumhalf and hooker respectively, with welcome returns for Ayanda Malinga, Nadine Roos, Eloise Webb and Felicia Jacobs, all recent members of the women’s Sevens squad.

De Bruin opted for Roos as a playmaker in her debut at flyhalf.

Webb will start at outside centre and Malinga on the wing, with Jacobs (scrumhalf) named on the bench as she returns to the team for the first time since 2021.

“I am so excited to announce this group of players for this match,” new head coach De Bruin said.

“It was great to be involved with them over the last three weeks and I loved every minute of this new journey.

“This team has good experience, but also some exciting new additions.

“The players are so keen, not only to learn, but to leave their mark on the game.

“They want to make the country proud and take Springbok Women’s rugby to new levels.”

Only four players – Byrhandré Dolf, Jakkie Cilliers, Sinazo Mcatshulwa and Babalwa Latsha – started in the corresponding game between the sides almost a year ago at Athlone Stadium, while Booi, Libbie Janse van Rensburg, Danelle Lochner, Micke Gunter, Vainah Ubisi and Yonela Ngxingolo also played in the match, which the visitors won 38-26.

Malinga and Sizophila Solontsi played against the Baabaas in the historic first clash between the sides at Twickenham in London on 27 November 2021.

“It will be huge for us, playing at home for the first time this year and also running out at the Cape Town stadium for the first time,” said Laurian Johannes-Haupt, one of the assistant coaches.

“That aside, we are eager to get going into our first real assessment of the new squad and where we stand with regards to WXV.

“We are playing very experienced opponents who are widely acknowledged for their decision-making and skills on fields all over the world.

“We are counting the days to get stuck in.”

South Africa: 15 Byrhandré Dolf, 14 Jakkie Cilliers, 13 Eloise Webb, 12 Chumisa Qawe, 11 Ayanda Malinga, 10 Nadine Roos, 9 Tayla Kinsey, 8 Aseza Hele, 7 Sinazo Mcatshulwa, 6 Sizophila Solontsi, 5 Vainah Ubisi, 4 Nolusindiso Booi (captain), 3 Babalwa Latsha, 2 Lindelwa Gwala, 1 Sanelisiwe Charlie.
Replacements: 16 Micke Gunter, 17 Yonela Ngxingolo, 18 Azisa Mkiva, 19 Danelle Lochner, 20 Sinelitha Noxeke, 21 Felicia Jacobs, 22 Libbie Janse van Rensburg, 23 Zintle Mpupha.

Date: Saturday, September 7
Venue: Cape Town StadiumKick-off: 13.30 (11.30 GMT)
Referee: Zoe Naudé
Assistant referees: Bulela Qwane, Martie Mostert
TMO: Aimee Barrett-Theron