EXCLUSIVE: Inspirational Springbok skipper Cindy Booi’s message: We’re only going to get stronger

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.”