RWC veteran Nolusindiso Booi to lead Springbok Women squad in New Zealand

SA Rugby has named the 32-player Springbok Women's squad that will do duty at the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand in October and November. 

The side will be led by lock Nolusindiso Booi who will go to her third Rugby World Cup tournament alongside Zenay Jordaan. 

Tayla Kinsey and Asithandile Ntoyanto will play in their second tournaments, having represented South Africa in the 2014 showpiece in England. 

Six players – Lerato Makua, Zintle Mpupha, Simamkele Namba, Nadine Roos, Sizophila Solontsi and Eloise Webb – also represented the Springbok Women's Sevens team at the Rugby World Cup Sevens in what can only be described as a ground-breaking year for women's rugby in the country. 

Stanley Raubenheimer heads the coaching team that will plan for Pool C encounters against France, Fiji and England in Pool C in October. 

SA Rugby president Mark Alexander congratulated the players on their selection and said they had done South Africa proud already. 

"We all know where we started, and to have seen this team grow – in stature and performance – is testimony to the abilities, planning and execution of the coaching staff and the Rugby Department at SA Rugby," said Alexander. 

"We are sending this team to New Zealand knowing they will be very competitive, fit as can be and mentally strong to represent every South African back home. Congratulations to every player, but also to their families and loved ones, as they are often those who make the real sacrifices. Thank you to all those who silently support in the background," he added. 

Raubenheimer said the selection of the squad was fairly easy as they have been building overall depth over a number of seasons. 

"We wanted experience in the squad and depth in every position, and I am pleased to