The final build-up to Rugby World Cup 2025 for Canada starts in South Africa on Saturday. It’s the first of two tests against the Springbok Women for the Maple Leafs, and comes with less than two months until the start of the flagship tournament in England. Kévin Rouet will run the rule over his traveling squad before making final call on who will make his World Cup roster.
| FORM GUIDE |
Current World Ranking: 12 (68.04 points)
2025-06-15 – Madagascar 17, South Africa 61 (Antananarivo)
2025-06-11 – Kenya 12, South Africa 19 (Antananarivo)
2025-06-07 – Uganda 7, South Africa 62 (Antananarivo)
2025-04-19 – Spain 26, South Africa 48 (Alicante)
2024-10-12 – South Africa 19, Italy 23 (Cape Town)
Current World Ranking: 2 (89.77 points)
2025-05-23 – Australia 7, Canada 45 (Brisbane)
2025-05-17 – New Zealand 27, Canada 27 (Christchurch)
2025-05-02 – USA 14, Canada 26 (Kansas City)
2024-10-12 – Canada 12, England 21 (Vancouver)
2024-10-05 – Canada 21, Ireland 8 (Langley)
| STARTING LINEUP CHANGES |
4 Caroline Crossley replaces Tyson Beukeboom
8 Gabrielle Senft replaces Karen Paquin
10 Taylor Perry replaces Claire Gallagher
11 Fancy Bermudez replaces Krissy Scurfield
| NOTES |
- this is the first time Canada has met the Springbok Women on their home soil… the match is the first part of a double-header at the famous Loftus Versfeld, with the Springbok Men up against Italy later that afternoon
- South Africa enter on the back of an unbeaten Africa Cup campaign in Madagascar, while Canada settled for second in the Pacific Four based on overall points differential after drawing with the eventual winners New Zealand
- Springbok captain Nolusindiso Booi will be the oldest player on the field having recently celebrated her 40th birthday… she won her 50th test cap against Spain in April
- Bristol hooker Holly Phillips is set to make her full international debut for Canada
| QUOTES |
Nolusindiso Booi (Captain)
“We certainly are well aware of how good Canada have been playing in recent months, in fact, over the last couple of years. They are skillful and a hard team to stop once they get into their stride. So, we know it is going to be a tough challenge, but we want nothing else than that.”
“We have to honour those who came before us and laid the pathway for us to where we are today and we are mindful that we are now also laying a foundation for the next generation, so it is very important to showcase our talent and play to the best of our ability.”
Kévin Rouet (Head Coach)
“These next two matches in South Africa will be a fantastic opportunity to build depth and confidence amongst the squad and for the players to showcase themselves with the World Cup coming up quickly. Saturday will be about focusing on the style of the game we want to play going forward and all the small details that come with that.”
| PREDICTION |
Ideal conditions are forecast for the historic fixture, which should allow for the home side to test their attack. That said the closest the Springboks have come in previous meetings is 18 points, way back in their first meeting in 2009. The Maple Leafs have shown their ability to play with ball in hand or in tight with their formidable forward pack. It’s not a full strength side but there’s more than enough class present for the visitors to come through this one with little difficulty. Canada are heavy favorites.
| TEAMS |
SOUTH AFRICA
1 Sanelisiwe Charlie, 2 Micke Gunter, 3 Babalwa Latsha, 4 Nolusindiso Booi (capt.), 5 Danelle Lochner, 6 Sizophila Solontsi, 7 Sinazo Mcatshulwa, 8 Aseza Hele, 9 Tayla Kinsey, 10 Libbie Janse van Rensburg, 11 Ayanda Malinga, 12 Chumisa Qawe, 13 Zintle Mpupha, 14 Jakkie Cilliers, 15 Nadie Roos
Replacements: 16 Luchell Hanekom, 17 Yonela Ngxingolo, 18 Nombuyekozo Moliki, 19 Nomsa Mokwai, 20 Lerato Makua, 21 Catha Jacobs, 22 Byrhandré Dolf, 23 Eloise Webb
CANADA
1 McKinley Hunt, 2 Gillian Boag, 3 DaLeaka Menin, 4 Caroline Crossley, 5 Courtney O’Donnell, 6 Laetitia Royer, 6 , 7 Fabiola Forteza, 8 Gabrielle Senft, 9 Olivia Apps, 10 Taylor Perry, 11 Fancy Bermudez, 12 Alex Tessier (capt.), 13 Florence Symonds, 14 Alysha Corrigan, 15 Julia Schell
Replacements: 16 Holly Phillips, 17 Mikiela Nelson, 18 Rori Wood, 19 Rachel Smith, 20 Tyson Beukeboom, 21 Pamphinette Buisa, 22 Justine Pelletier, 23 Shoshanah Seumanutafa
| MATCH INFO |
Date: Saturday, July 5
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kickoff: 13:30 local (04:30 Pacific, 07:30 Eastern)
Weather Forecast: sunny, 65°F (18°C), wind W 6-9mph (10-14km/h)
Broadcasts: TSN 3 (Canada), RugbyPass TV
| OFFICIALS |
Referee: Clara Munarini (Italy)
Assistants: Precious Pazani (Zimbabwe) & Zoë Naudé (South Africa)
TMO: Egon Seconds (South Africa)
| HISTORY |
HEAD-TO-HEAD (4): Canada 4, South Africa 0
2023-03-25 – Canada 66, South Africa 7 (Madrid)
2013-08-07 – Canada 53, South Africa 15 (Greeley)
2011-08-02 – Canada 52, South Africa 17 (Oakville)
2009-08-13 – Canada 35, South Africa 17 (Oakville)
The post RWC 2025 Warm-Up: South Africa vs Canada – ARN Guide appeared first on Americas Rugby News.
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