NZL 46-17 RSA: South Africa reaction (head coach de Bruin, captain Booi, Hele, Latsha)

South Africa head coach Swys de Bruin, captain Nolusindiso Booi, Aseza Hele and Babalwa Latsha react to the Springbok Women's quarter-final defeat by New Zealand at Sandy Park on Saturday.

Swys de Bruin, head coach

On the match:

"I'm so proud. Look at our girls, look at the passion. They made a difference for millions of girls in South Africa. They have role models. There are so many trials and tribulations. I'm so thankful. A lot of our plans worked in the first half. They didn't expect the 15-man maul or the set-ups next to the scrum. But then, in the second half - my coaches were still on the way up - they [New Zealand] scored two tries so we will need to see what happened there. Apparently it was kick-off-receive - we just lost it. And then we kept fighting, fighting, fighting. Ireland got nought against them [in Pool C], other teams couldn't score tries.

"For us to score three tries against the mighty Black Ferns, it's a big honour and I'm so proud of each and every one of them. We ran a bit out of steam.

"Great game, almost as fulfilling as this morning with our men's side [the Boks' 43-10 win over New Zealand in Wellington]. South African rugby is in the right way."

On restricting New Zealand to their smallest winning margin of Rugby World Cup 2025:

"Every time you raise the bar they can go higher. It's amazing what they can do. I said in 2017 we were not good enough. In 2022 we couldn't win a game. Now we get a chance in a quarter-final and score three tries. I think a giant has awoken for women in South African rugby."

On how to keep the momentum going:

"With the support back home and great administration from our leader Dave Wessels and Francois Davids, our deputy president. With that backing I am excited. It is such a blessing to be part of this, it is unreal."

On the importance of playing against the top teams more often:

"Our girls are not used to playing at this pace and pressure. We need more competitive games because I honestly believe if we get that, we'll be much more of a threat. If we can have that with our high performance system, that'll be the super ingredients for growth.”

On whether Pacific Four and other competitions need a revamp:

“We're so open for that. There's a couple of teams knocking on the door; we’re knocking the hardest at the moment. 
The fact that we could push them [New Zealand] to a 10-all draw at half-time, the minnows are good enough now. Opportunity is everything. We need games, we need tough games, more of them.”

Nolusindiso Booi, captain

On her pride at her team's performance:

"I think my team did good in the first half. Our preparations were good but it's just that New Zealand were above us. Congratulations to them, good luck for their semi-final. Thank you to our fans and to everyone here cheering us. Congratulations to my girls. We pushed until the last minute."

On what comes next for the Boks' programme:

"For us it was a great moment. It's something that we had never tasted. The taste was good and it's something that the girls will fight for going forward."

On her retirement at age 40:

"I'm so emotional right now but I am also proud of the progress of our team. I feel that we did good and for sure the young generation will push for the final, hopefully next time."

Aseza Hele

On her emotions:

"It was very tough but we gave them a taste of South Africans. We knew it was going to be tough and we know they are the champions. They had the pressure, we didn't, but we wanted to challenge them and make them feel that we want to be the next generation."

On being level at half-time:

"We were very content and we had done what we wanted to do. We tested ourselves and now we know where we are at the moment. It was a good first half. It's a learning curve for us. I know the next World Cup we are going to be special. We are here and we belong here."

On the chat at half-time:

"We left everything on the field and we gave other people the chance - the Bomb Squad. We are super proud of ourselves. We emptied our tank."

On the message to boys and girls in South Africa:

"I would say never stop dreaming. Dreams will comes true.

"I think since I have inspired not just the girls but boys too. We leave the jersey in good hands. We are building for the young ones to come through. I did the best that I could. I am sure I have just made a dream [come true] even if it is one or two. Small things matter the most."

Babalwa Latsha

On inspiration:

“I hope this has encouraged and inspired a generation of young people, they can dream as big as they can and they actually see their true value and live up to their fullest potential.”

On growth:

“Our journey is one that’s ongoing, so we can never truly say that it’s been reached, but it’s a pinnacle. It’s a cusp of a wave that needs to continue and will continue here in South Africa and all over the world.”

On playing international teams:

“Talent is something we’re not short of in South Africa, and it’s important for us to keep playing top nations because that makes us better as well, it gives us a better feel of what international rugby is about.”

On the unusual forward plays:

“The spirit of our team is buying in and doing things together. We just bought in to it straight off the bat, we fell in love with the plan and we were eager to execute it to see what type of response we would get.

“Having 15 people in the line-out is quite innovative and just that’s an expression of doing what we whatever we want.”

On Nolusindiso Booi:

“She’s a phenomenal human being, a phenomenal player, a stalwart. She’s been around for a very long time, and I’ve had the privilege of playing alongside her and leading alongside her as well.

“It was her last game today, she’s finally resting, and I think that her legacy is one that’s incredible.”