Nolusindiso Booi’s name will be etched into the Springboks’ history books this weekend as she becomes the first South African woman to reach 50 Test caps, when the national senior women’s team face Spain.
Captain Booi made her debut for the Bok Women 15 years ago against Kazakhstan and will receive her 50th cap on Saturday, when she leads the team onto the Campo de Rugby Amorós Palao in Elche, southern Spain. By contrast, the Springboks’ most-capped player, Eben Etzebeth, began his career in 2012 and has thus far played 131 Tests for the country.
Booi’s 50th appearance in national colours is a significant milestone for the Springbok Women and their ongoing development, reaffirming SA Rugby’s commitment to growing and nurturing the women’s game.
Aseza Hele from every angle 😮💨
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) April 16, 2025
Last time the Springbok Women faced Spain, she went beast mode 💪
📺 Kick-off at 5PM on Saturday | 𝗟𝗜𝗩𝗘 on SuperSport pic.twitter.com/lb2XI6NPdE
“(Booi’s) humility, how she serves the team, and her desire for what is best for them are remarkable traits that she brings to the squad,” said performance coach Swys de Bruin in a statement on Wednesday.
“This is such a fantastic achievement for Nolusindiso. She has been an exceptional leader for this team and a real warrior on the field for many seasons.
“We all appreciate the significance of reaching 50 caps. I would almost compare it to 100 caps in the men’s game, given the limited number of Tests our women play each season.”
Test week in Alicante for #BokWomen and coach #SwysDeBruin is pleased about it. @FNBSA #GrassrootsToGreatness pic.twitter.com/IEjxj7Ff16
Meanwhile, Nadine Roos and Ayanda Malinga have both been selected in the starting XV at fullback and wing, respectively. Both players played key roles last week in helping the Springbok Women’s Sevens team win the World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger Series in Krakow, Poland.
De Bruin revealed that the duo were always part of the strategy for this weekend and that the Boks would rely on them to unlock the Spanish defence in attack.
Said the former Lions coach: “There is good cooperation between ourselves and the Sevens management, and we are pleased to have Nadine and Ayanda back in the starting team.
Nolusindiso Booi will make #BokWomen history in Spain on Saturday - team announcement: https://t.co/VhwqcrkgWZ 🇿🇦#MakeItCount #ETTIG pic.twitter.com/ou1quI13E0
— SA Women's Rugby (@WomenBoks) April 16, 2025
“We did not select Zintle (Mpupha) for this game, as I am trying a new midfield combination, but overall, they have slotted in very nicely. I am giving Nadine a run at fullback, while Ayanda’s try-scoring ability on the wing will always pose a threat to opposing teams.
“We are looking at counter-attacking opportunities in this Test match, and we all know what Nadine can do in space.”
The Bok Women have faced Spain on seven occasions, winning four of those matches. That includes their two most recent encounters last year, which the Boks won 36–19 and 15–13.
Springbok Women Starting XV: 15 Nadine Roos, 14 Jakkie Cilliers, 13 Chumisa Qawe, 12 Aphiwe Ngwevu, 11 Ayanda Malinga, 10 Libbie Janse van Rensburg, 9 Tayla Kinsey, 8 Aseza Hele, 7 Sinazo Mcatshulwa, 6 Sizophila Solontsi, 5 Anathi Qolo, 4 Nolusindiso Booi (capt), 3 Babalwa Latsha, 2 Lindelwa Gwala, 1 Sanelisiwe Charlie. Replacements: 16 Luchell Hanekom, 17 Yonela Ngxingolo, 18 Azisa Mkiva, 19 Danelle Lochner, 20 Catha Jacobs, 21 Alica Willemse, 22 Eloise Webb, 23 Byrhandre Dolf.