EXCLUSIVE: Inspirational Springbok skipper Cindy Booi’s message: We’re only going to get stronger
South Africa's lock Nolusindiso Booi catches the ball in a line-out during the Women’s Rugby World Cup pool D match between South Africa and Brazil at Franklin's Gardens in Northampton, central England, on August 24, 2025. Picture: Paul Ellis/AFP
Image: Paul Ellis/AFP
While the future is bright for the Springbok women’s side after their run to the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup (RWC), it’s with a tinge of sadness as inspirational skipper Nolusindiso ‘Cindy’ Booi retires from the game.
Having turned 40 in June, Booi has been a stalwart of the Springbok side since she made her debut way back in 2010.
The energetic forward scrumming down at lock helped her side reach the knockout stage of the RWC for a first time before finally falling to defending champions New Zealand over the weekend.
Coming into the tournament, the Boks were ranked 12th but have improved to 10th following their wins over Italy and Brazil. Though they bowed out 46-17 after going into the break with the scores locked at 10-10, it was still a milestone showing for the rising Bok side.
Booi Reflects on Emotional Farewell at Sandy Park
For Booi in particular, it was a bittersweet moment as the final whistle sounded on Saturday at Sandy Park, in Exeter.
“I’m feeling a swirl of emotions — pride, gratitude, sadness and a surprising sense of relief all at once,” Booi told IOL Sport in an exclusive interview.
“Pride for everything the team and I achieved together and for how far we pushed ourselves; gratitude for teammates, coaches, family and the supporters who made the journey possible; sadness at closing a chapter that’s been central to my life and at the thought of no longer being in that match-day bubble; and relief that the constant pressure, travel and physical grind will ease.”
Embracing Change: Booi’s Future Beyond Sport
While that pressure to perform each day at training and in matches will be gone, Booi is cautiously optimistic about her future.
“There are things I will miss the little day-to-day moments (bus rides, late-night team talks, the rituals before kick-off, Gwijo and teammates ) that you don’t realise you’ll miss until they’re gone. At the same time, I feel excited and curious about what comes next.
“And, if I’m honest, there’s a bit of uncertainty and anxiety about identity after sport — but mostly a big, steady hope that the next chapter will be just as meaningful in different ways.”
While the class of 2025 set all the records, Booi’s debut 15 years ago still held a special place in her heart.
“As a player, the highlight is putting on that Springbok jersey for the very first time against Kazakhstan . Nothing ever compares to that moment . Being able to wear the jersey for so many years and the 2025 World Cup was incredibly good for me and my team; we made history , won two pool games, and reached the quarter-finals.”
The Future of Women’s Rugby in SA: A Growing Force
As for the future of the women’s game, there’s no doubt that the Bok women’s game has never been stronger.
“The women’s game has grown so much — from fighting just to be seen, to finally getting proper investment and pathways. There’s still a way to go, but the progress in the last few years makes me really hopeful for the next generation.”
The fact that the Boks dominated the first half against New Zealand also did not go unnoticed. It set the tone for future generations to believe that they could compete with the best in the world.
“I couldn’t be prouder of what we showed at this World Cup. To stand up to the very best, including going toe-to-toe with New Zealand, proved the belief and the fight within this team.
“We didn’t just compete — we showed that South African women’s rugby belongs on the biggest stage. For me, that performance wasn’t only about a scoreline, it was about sending a message: we are here, we’re growing, and we’re only going to get stronger.”