Saturday July 12, 2025 (Gqeberha, South Africa) – Canada’s Women’s Rugby Team completed their tour to South Africa with a 33-5 victory over the Springbok women at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on Saturday afternoon.
Carissa Norsten, starting on the wing in her 15s debut for Canada, scored her first international try in the 55th minute and was named player of the match.
Five different try scorers got over the line for Canada in the game. Brittany Kassil opened the scoring with her first international try, followed by hooker Gillian Boag, who added a second try, the fourth of her career, before the end of the first half.
Norsten’s try was the first of three in the second half. Captain Tyson Beukeboom crossed the line in the 74th minute, recording her 15th try in her 76th appearance for Canada. Starting winger Krissy Scurfield capped off the scoring Canada’s final try in the 78th minute.
The kicking duties were shared by Julia Schell and Maddy Grant, each slotting two conversions.
“We were very happy to have been able to give all 32 players who came on tour the opportunity to play in these two games,” said Head Coach Kevin Rouet. “We came to South Africa to be challenged in the scrum, maul and to face their physicality. South Africa showed us that in these two games.”
Reserve hooker, Taylor McKnight, won her first cap in today’s match, coming on in the first half to support in the front row after prop Olivia Demerchant was issued a yellow card.
Sophie de Goede, named to the 2022 and 2024 World Rugby Women’s Dream Team, made her long-awaited return to the Canadian lineup. De Goede replaced Gabrielle Senft in the second half and logged 22 minutes of game time, her first time back on the field in over a year following a significant knee injury.
“We have a lot to learn from after this tour, but the more we play together the better we will be able to perform once we are at the World Cup” Rouet added.
SCORING SUMMARY
Tries: Brittany Kassil (5’), Gillian Boag (32’), Carissa Norsten (55’), Tyson Beukeboom (74’), Krissy Scurfield (78’)
Conversions: Julia Schell (2), Maddy Grant (2)
UP NEXT FOR CANADA’S WOMEN’S RUGBY TEAM
Canada’s next match will be on home soil against the USA on Friday August 1 at TD Place Stadium in Ottawa. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:00pm ET (4:00pm PT). Tickets are available for purchased HERE. The match will also be available live on TSN and TSN+
JULY 12 MATCH DAY ROSTER: CANADA’S WOMEN’S RUGBY TEAM vs SOUTH AFRICA
1. Brittany Kassil (Guelph, ON) – Guelph Goats
2. Gillian Boag (Calgary, AB) – Capilano RFC / Gloucester-Hartpury
3. Olivia DeMerchant (Mapledale, NB) – Halifax Tars RFC
4. Tyson Beukeboom (Uxbridge, ON) – Cowichan Piggies / Aurora Barbarians / Ealing Trailfinders
5. Laetitia Royer (Loretteville, QC) – St-Anne-de-Bellevue / Concordia Univeristy / ASM Romagnat
6. Pamphinette Buisa (Gatineau, QC) – Ottawa Irish
7. Karen Paquin (Quebec City, QC) – Club de rugby de Quebec
8. Gabrielle Senft (Regina, SK) – Castaway Wanderers / Saracens
9. Justine Pelletier (Rivière-du-Loup, QC) – Club de rugby de Québec / Stade Bordelais
10. Claire Gallagher (Caledon, ON) – Aurora Barbarians / Leicester Tigers
11. Carissa Norsten (Waldheim, SK) – Kirin RFC / University of Victoria
12. Maddy Grant (Cornwall, ON) – Cornwall Claymores
13. Shoshanah Seumanutafa (White Rock, BC) – Counties Manukau
14. Krissy Scurfield (Canmore, AB) – University of Victoria / Loughborough Lightning
15. Julia Schell (Uxbridge, ON) – Guelph Goats / Castaway Wanderers / Ealing Trailfinders
FINISHERS
16. Taylor McKnight (Stouffville, ON) – University of Guelph / Aurora Barbarians
17. Mikiela Nelson (North Vancouver, BC) – Capilano RFC / Exeter Chiefs
18. Rori Wood (Sooke, BC) – College Rifles RFC / Ealing Trailfinders
19. Courtney O’Donnell (Rimbey, AB) – Red Deer Titans Rugby
20. Rachel Smith (South Surrey, BC) – University of British Columbia
21. Sophie de Goede (Victoria, BC) – Castaway Wanderers / Saracens
22. Olivia Apps (Lindsay, ON) – Lindsay RFC
23. Florence Symonds (Vancouver, BC) – University of British Columbia
MISSION: WIN RUGBY WORLD CUP
Rugby Canada has officially launched the Mission: Win the Rugby World Cup 2025 fundraising campaign. The goal is to raise $1,000,000 to provide Canada’s Women’s Rugby Team with extra resources to help them make history by winning the 2025 Rugby World Cup. With their sights set on a groundbreaking achievement this year in England, Canada’s Women’s Rugby Team is currently ranked second in the World Rugby global rankings. For more information or to donate, visit rugby.ca/donate.
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About Rugby Canada
Rugby Canada is the national governing body of the sport of Rugby Union in Canada. They administer and operate Men’s and Women’s Senior and Junior National programs in both rugby 15s and 7s, as well as govern the Club and community game for more than 40,000 registered participants from coast to coast in conjunction with ten Provincial Union members.
Rugby Canada is headquartered at the Al Charron National Training Centre in Langford, BC, with staff also working from Vancouver, Winnipeg, Toronto and Ottawa. Rugby Canada business operations, programs and events are delivered nationwide, including the internationally recognized HSBC Vancouver Sevens annual tournaments.
Media Contacts / Contacts de médias
Braedan Willis
Manager, Communications
bwillis@rugby.ca