A long wait will come to a close on Sunday in Northampton, England as Brazil competes for the first time in a Rugby World Cup match. The national Women’s team As Yaras debut against South Africa in a Group D match. Brazil and South Africa join France and Italy in the group which is one of four pools in what is a 16-team tournament.
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Current World Ranking: 25 (45.96 points)
2025-07-19 – Brazil 22-0 Netherlands (São Paulo, BR)
2025-07-12 – Brazil 5-35 Netherlands (Jacareí, BR)
2025-06-14 – Brazil 58-7 Colombia (São Paulo)
Current World Ranking: 12 (68.04 points)
2025-08-02 – South Africa 41-24 Black Ferns XV (Cape Town, ZA)
2025-07-26 – South Africa 26-34 Black Ferns XV (Cape Town, ZA)
2025-07-12 – South Africa 5-33 Canada (Port Elizabeth, ZA)
2025-07-05 – South Africa 20-50 Canada (Pretoria, ZA)
2025-06-15 – South Africa 61-17 Madagascar (Antananarivo, MG)
2025-06-11 – South Africa 19-12 Kenya (Antananarivo, MG)
2025-06-07 – South Africa 62-7 Uganda (Antananarivo, MG)
2025-04-19 – Spain 26-48 South Africa (Elche, ES)
- This is the 10th edition of the Women’s Rugby World Cup and the first featuring a South American participant.
- South Africa competed at four prior Women’s Rugby World Cups: 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2021.
- The match officially begins international competition between Brazil and South Africa.
- Both teams had wins and losses in their World Cup preparation fixtures.
- Only Byrhandrѐ Dolf, Maceala Samboya, Ayanda Malinga and Danelle Lochner have not played in a RWC.
- Nolusindiso Booi is the most capped Bok Women’s player. She is also the most capped captain.
- Libbie Janse van Rensburg is South Africa’s all-time leading women’s point-scorer with 209 points.
- Zintle Mpupha could extend the record for most tries (20) in a Test career for the Springbok Women.
- World Rugby has not appointed any Portuguese Speaking officials for the contest.
- Disney + will provide full live coverage of the tournament matches in Brazil.
Newcomers Brazil debut against a team playing in their fifth Women’s Rugby World Cup. It is very much a case of the debutants being up against a standard of rugby above that which they are accustomed to. For years, Brazil prioritized Rugby Sevens competitions for As Yaras only to find a balance and restore efforts in the test team. It culminated in rising above Colombia to qualify for the World Cup. Their debut is against a team who warmed-up against reputable opposition. South Africa are heavy favorites in Northampton.
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 Ísis Carvalho, 7 Larissa Carvalho, 6 Larissa Henwood, 5 Marcelle Cruz de Souza, 4 Eshyllen Coimbra (capt.), 3 Taís Prioste, 2 Julia Leni Lima, 1 Franciele Barros
Replacements: 16 Isabela Gomes Saccomanno, 17 Samara Vergara, 18 Giovana Mamede, 19 Dayana Dakar, 20 Letícia Silva, 21 Luiza González Campos, 22 Fernanda Tenório, 23 Isadora Lopes;
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 (capt.), 3 Babalwa Latsha (vice-capt.), 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
Date: Sunday, August 23
Venue: Franklin’s Garden, Northampton
Kickoff: 2:30pm local (10:45am Brasília; 3:30pm ZA)
Weather Forecast: cloudy, 22°C), wind 10km/h)
Broadcasts: Disney + (Brazil), RugbyPass TV
Referee: Hollie Davidson (Scotland)
Assistant Referees: Holly Wood (England), Jess Ling (Australia)
Television Match Official: Ian Tempest (England)
FPRO: Rachel Horton (Australia)
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