Cindy Booi draws inspiration from Siya Kolisi ahead of Women’s World Cup
Cindy Booi, inspired by Siya Kolisi, leads the Springbok women’s rugby team into the Women’s World Cup in England, aiming to unite South Africa and achieve a significant group stage breakthrough. Picture: BackpagePix
Image: BackpagePix / File
Cindy Booi, Springbok women’s skipper, finds remarkable inspiration from Siya Kolisi as the team gears up to represent the nation with pride at the Women’s Rugby World Cup (RWC) in England, starting this Friday.
Hosts England open proceedings against the USA in a Pool A clash, while South Africa will begin their campaign on Sunday against Brazil.
While the men’s Springboks are always expected to contend for the title, it’s a different story for the women’s side as they are ranked 12th in the world.
Therefore, if the women make it out of their group, which also contains Italy (seventh) and France (fourth), it will be a massive achievement.
Inspiration from Siya Kolisi
While their goals are vastly different to that of the men, Booi said the main aim of bringing South Africa together with their performances was their big ambition.
“We take huge inspiration from Siya, he is one of the people that follow and support us the most and the group that went before us,” Booi told SportsBoom.co.za in an exclusive interview.
“What they achieved in 2019 and 2023 was massive not just in terms of winning trophies, but in how they united the country and showed what’s possible when we play for something bigger than ourselves.”
This will be a fourth RWC for the 40-year-old forward as she is the most capped Springbok in the squad.
Despite having led the Bok women 23 times already, it’s still a matter of pride every time Booi steps onto the field with the armband.