Since arriving to rugby relatively late in life, Italy’s Sofia Stefan has certainly made up for lost time. So much so that when the pocket-rocket scrum-half takes to the field in York on Sunday, her teammates will almost certainly let her run out on her own to mark her 100th cap.
Stefan started playing at school in Padova aged 17, and just two years later, in October 2011, made her international debut against France.
Now a regular for Toulon, it has been quite a journey via her home town club, Rennes and Sale Sharks.
“I started at Valsugana Padova a little later than many other girls and honestly I certainly couldn’t have imagined a path like this,” she said on the eve of Italy’s second match at Women’s RWC 2025 against South Africa.
“I’ve had so many opportunities, I’ve met so many people, put myself on the line so many times and I’m very happy to be at this point for sure.”
Barattin, Gai and now Stefan
Following in the footsteps of Sara Barattin and Lucia Gai, Stefan is only the third Italian woman to reach 100 caps, and emotions will run high as she steps out in York in front of her family.
“It’s definitely been in the air for a while, so it (the pressure) can’t be avoided. I can’t help but consider it at this moment and I’m glad it’s like this, partly because it’s 100, partly because expectations are high, both on the match and on individual performance.
“There’s definitely pressure, but when we choose and have the opportunity to play at this level, we take it into account, so it’s one of the things I like. I also like learning to deal with it differently every time because there are always special moments.”
After their opening loss to France in Exeter, the Italians’ second match is one they must win if they are to proceed to the knock-outs.
“I’m very excited and above all for a game that is do or die, so I’d say the most important thing about tomorrow is winning the game.
“The individual paths are part of the collective paths because they must and can give something more. Tomorrow the goal is a common goal and that is to get a victory without a doubt, so the focus remains on that. But obviously it is a very important and special moment in my career.”