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'We all appreciate the significance': Nolusindiso Booi to earn 50th cap
When Nolusindiso Booi played her first Test for her country back in 2010, milestones and records were not part of the conversation. The women’s game was little more than an afterthought in South Africa.
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The side was completely amateur; under-resourced, barely recognised beyond the few who could care to watch, effectively playing in darkness as media houses and fans focussed all their energies on the men’s team who, three years earlier, had won their second World Cup.
Now Booi, the captain of one of the sport’s most ambitious and fastest developing outfits, is set to play her 50th Test, the first South African woman to do so, when the team take on Spain in Alicante on Saturday as they begin preparations for the World Cup later this year.
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And though Siya Kolisi’s men still operate in a different universe – Eben Eztebeth has surpassed 130 appearances for South Africa despite starting his international career two years after Booi – the skipper’s achievement is just one more sign of the advancements of the women’s game.
There are record breakers throughout the squad. Tayla Kinsey, already the second-most capped Springbok, will extend her run as the most experienced scrum-half when she wins her 39th cap behind the base of the pack.
Sinazo Mcatshulwa (loose forward, 35), Lindelwa Gwala (hooker, 34) and Babalwa Latsha (prop, 33) will also extend their records as most capped Springbok Women’s player in their positions.
Libbie Janse van Rensburg is expected to extend her Test scoring record, having amassed 204 points so far, while Alicia Willemse will become Springbok Women’s player number 176 when she comes off the bench. Progress can be hard to measure but is abundantly apparent across the group.
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“It’s amazing,” Booi says as she reflects on the strides her team and the organisation have made over 15 years. “Yes, it’s a special milestone, but that’s not where my attention is. My focus is on the team and doing what’s needed.
“It’s an honour to reach 50 caps, but representing my team and country means even more. I just want to enjoy the game and play my part – for myself and the team.”
Sticking tightly to a humble line, and insisting that this achievement is merely a testament to her team, Booi did break character when asked if she reminds some of her younger charges about her own struggles.
“I do!” Booi laughs. “I tell them not to take these things for granted. The younger girls who are starting out, they have so much that we didn’t have. There is so much support now. We feel very lucky. I’m feeling a mix of nerves and excitement – but in a good way.”
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South Africa have been drawn in a challenging group in the World Cup where they’ll meet Six Nations heavy weights Italy and France after a must-win game against Brazil. Assistant coach Laurian Johannes-Haupt recently stated that the team’s ambitions go beyond simply participating as they’re taking aim at a first-ever knockout match at the global showpiece. Beating Spain, once considered a bonus, is now an imperative.
“Playing Spain so many times in recent years has been great, they are not playing in the Six Nations and also need opponents in order to gain experience and improve,” Booi says, emphasising the close links between the two teams.
“We are in exactly the same boat, so we are very grateful to them to have given us so many opportunities over the last couple of seasons. This year it is even better as both of us are getting ready for the World Cup, so both sides will benefit a lot out of this match.
“The physical part of it is a given for all 23, but the forwards know exactly what is expected of us. We have some plans for tomorrow and yes, it involves the pack.’
South Africa’s recent record against Spain makes for optimistic reading. In September they triumphed 36-19 in Cape Town, extending their winning run over the Iberians to five matches, including the two-point victory they secured in March in Valladolid, as well as the 15-point hammering handed out in Madrid in 2023.
These are the sorts of victories that would have sent Booi’s jaw to the floor when she first pulled on that green and gold jersey. But expectations have dramatically shifted.
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With professional provincial side Bulls Daisies having injected some grunt and acumen across the team, and central contracts drawing on the best talents from other sides, not to mention a smattering of foreign based stars who ply their trade in England, the Boks women are closing the gap between themselves and the men who have lifted their World Cup on four occasions.
“We all appreciate the significance of reaching 50 caps,” added coach Swuys de Bruin, whose hand on the side has played a key role in their improvements. I would almost compare it to 100 caps in the men’s game, given the limited number of Tests our women play each season.
“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.”
She’s not done yet and at the age of 39 has targeted the World Cup as a potential swan song. And with a host of young and hungry players taking their first steps in an outfit with ambitions once considered outrageous, who knows how many caps a future record holder might achieve.
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