The Springbok Women may not have been mentioned in two significant updates from World Rugby on Monday, but with both, a quiet moment of celebration was shared within the team at their training base in Cape Town.
In the first update, it was confirmed that South Africa had moved up to ninth spot in the world rankings, their best position ever, a year after they first broke into the top 10.
That reflects on the stellar year enjoyed by the team in 2026, with eight wins in 12 tests, with one more to play against Ireland, who edged them 40-27 at Athlone Stadium last weekend.
The other announced the nominees for World Rugby’s women’s awards, and although the Springbok Women again didn’t feature, no try could be better than Alichia Arries' 79th-minute effort against Ireland at Athlone Stadium on Saturday.
The 24-year-old scored after fielding a cross kick from Mary Zulu and dotted down in front of her daughter, four-year-old Tatum, and the rest of her family to give the Springbok Women their fifth try of the match, a moment Arries will never forget.
“That was pretty special – it was also the first time I played for the Springbok Women in front of her, so it was really great finishing off the good work on the inside from our team,” Arries recalled of her sixth try in her 13th test.
“We identified that open space as the match progressed and when the ball was kicked in my direction, I just had to get hold of it and get it over the line.”
Arries scored a brilliant try against the USA at Loftus Versfeld earlier in the season, but she said dotting down in front of her daughter was the best feeling ever.
“Also, there is something about playing at Athlone, the crowds are just amazing and so, so supportive of the Springbok Women,” she said.
“That is one of the reasons why all of us want to go out there this weekend and redeem ourselves by overturning the result against Ireland. We can only hope and ask that they come out again this weekend. We are determined to dish up a proper performance this weekend.”
Happy to give the Irish the credit they are due for the win, Arries said the squad had a good review and reflection on where they came up short: “We were poor at times, our handling let us down and even first-time tackling was not great at crucial times. Ireland also had a very good kicking game that left us scrambling a bit at times. But that was last weekend. Come Saturday we promise a better showing.”
Arries made a strong comeback to international rugby in 2026 and was involved in 11 of the 12 tests played this season.
“The year was productive – the coaches are showing faith in me, and I try to reward them for that,” the DHL Western Province player said.
“Every team we play against have something different, and now that we have played Ireland, I believe we can adapt for the second test. And with my daughter and the rest of the family among all those amazing supporters that come to Athlone Stadium, we hope to finish the year on the best possible note.”
The match-23 for Saturday’s second test will be named on Thursday. Tickets are available from Ticketmaster.