Canada names starting lineup for opening rugby test against Springboks women

By Canadian Press on July 3, 2025.

Centre Alex Tessier, one of three Canadians named to World Rugby Women’s 15s Dream Team of the Year in 2024, will captain Canada in Saturday’s opening rugby test against South Africa.

Second-ranked Canada faces the 12th-ranked Springbok women at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, playing ahead of the men’s match between the top-ranked Springboks and No. 10 Italy.

Laetitia Royer, another member of the 2024 Dream Team, starts in the second row. But there is no place yet for star backrower and captain Sophie de Goede, the other Dream Team member who is back in the squad after knee surgery.

De Goede has not played since tearing her anterior cruciate ligament on June 21, 2024, in a non-contact scrimmage against the United States on the last day of a Canada sevens camp in Chula Vista, Calif.

Canada and South Africa meet again July 12 at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha.

“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,” Canada coach Kevin Rouet said in a statement. “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.”

Frontrower Holly Phillips, who plays in England for the Bristol Bears, could make her debut for Canada off the bench. Starting hooker Gillian Boag and prop McKinley Hunt will both earn their 30th cap.

After the South Africa tour, Canada plays the ninth-ranked United States on Aug. 1 in Ottawa and No. 5 Ireland on Aug. 9 in Dublin. The Canadian women open the World Cup in England against No. 15 Fiji on Aug. 23 in York, then face No. 10 Wales on Aug. 30 in Manchester and No. 7 Scotland on Sept. 6 in Exeter.

Canada is 12-5-1 since the last World Cup. Four of the losses were to top-ranked England, with the other to New Zealand.

Canada Roster

McKinley Hunt, King City, Ont., Saracens (England); Gillian Boag, Calgary, Gloucester-Hartpury (England); DaLeaka Menin, Vulcan, Alta., Exeter Chiefs (England); Caroline Crossley, Victoria, Castaway Wanderers; Courtney O’Donnell, Rimbey, Alta., Red Deer Titans Rugby; Laetitia Royer, Loretteville, Que., ASM Romagnat (France); Fabiola Forteza, Quebec City, Stade Bordelais (France); Gabrielle Senft, Regina, Saracens (England); Olivia Apps, Lindsay, Ont., Lindsay RFC; Taylor Perry, Oakville, Ont., Exeter Chiefs (England): Fancy Bermudez, Edmonton, Alta., Saracens (England); Alex Tessier, Sainte-Clotilde-de-Horton, Que., Exeter Chiefs (England); Florence Symonds, Vancouver, UBC; Alysha Corrigan, Charlottetown, P.E.I., Saracens (England); Julia Schell, Uxbridge, Ont., Ealing Trailfinders (England).

Replacements

Mikiela Nelson, North Vancouver, Exeter Chiefs (England); Holly Phillips, Canmore, Alta., Bristol Bears (England); Rori Wood, Sooke, B.C., Ealing Trailfinders (England); Rachel Smith, South Surrey, UBC; Tyson Beukeboom, Uxbridge, Ont., Ealing Trailfinders (England); Pamphinette Buisa, Gatineau, Que., Ottawa Irish; Justine Pelletier, Rivière-du-Loup, Que., Stade Bordelais (France); Shoshanah Seumanutafa, White Rock, B.C., Counties Manukau (New Zealand).

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 3, 2025

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press