The Springbok Women will host Ireland in a historic first test series between the two countries on consecutive weekends in Cape Town in October as part of the WXV Global Series that was announced at the end of the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025.
SA Rugby confirmed the two tests will take place at Athlone Stadium on 24 and 31 October, with 15h00 kick-off times perfect for late spring afternoon rugby.
The two teams only ever met once before – 20 years ago – on 8 September 2006 in Edmonton, Canada during the Women’s Rugby World Cup, with Ireland winning 37-0.
Springbok Women head coach Swys de Bruin welcomed the confirmation of the matches – part of the WXV Global Series – and said it is the perfect way to conclude a jam packed 2026 international season.
“It is hard to believe we have never played in a test series, something that also reminds us on how important it was for the Springbok Women to break into the top tier of the women's world game,” said De Bruin.
“To have Ireland come to our shores after their recent solid performances in the World Cup and Women's Six Nations, where they finished third, will demand some special performances from our team.
“They are ranked fifth in the world and those are the teams we need to compete against as we start building towards the next World Cup in 2029.”
De Bruin said the exposure the Bok Women will get from playing Ireland, as well as the USA and New Zealand’s Black Ferns at home in South Africa, will benefit the women's programme immensely.
“The WXV Global Series came at just the right time for us and to play four sides in the top eight in one calendar year will not only force us to make a step up but also add valuable experience to our playing squad,” he said.
Ireland coach Scott Bemand said: “We’re excited to travel to Cape Town for a two-match series against South Africa, who are a strong and developing team and will provide an excellent challenge in a demanding environment.
“The opportunity to travel away from home for a test series is why the addition of the WXV Global Series is invaluable for us as a team we continue to build and grow as a group.”
The WXV Global Series brings the top 12 teams on the world ranking (Australia, Canada, England, France, Italy, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa, USA and Wales) together in a home and away cross-regional touring model, which takes place across the September and October window.
Springbok Women home fixtures for 2026:
4 July (13h30): USA – Ellis Park, Johannesburg
11 July (13h30): USA – Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
5 September (13h30): Black Ferns – FNB Stadium, Johannesburg
24 October (15h00): Ireland – Athlone Stadium, Cape Town
31 October (15h00): Ireland – Athlone Stadium, Cape Town
Meanwhile, De Bruin has named an experienced group of players to start preparing for the USA series from Wednesday in Stellenbosch. The core of the squad that represented South Africa at the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup has been recalled, but there will be no Nolusindiso Booi (retired) or Nadine Roos and Sinazo Mcatshulwa, who have long term injuries.
De Bruin has added the uncapped Maria Tshiremba, who scored 36 tries for the Springbok Women’s Sevens in their 2026 season, to the squad, while Felicia Jacobs, who last played in the 2025 Rugby Africa Women's Cup in Madagascar, and Donelle Snyders, who played two tests in 2021, have been recalled to the squad.
Tshiremba, Dolf, Malinga and Jacobs, who all played for the Springbok Women's Sevens this month in the HSBC SVNS World Championship, will only join on 21 June, while three others, Patience Mokone, Zintle Mpupha and Shiniqwa Lamprecht, will join the squad after their return from the HSBC Rugby Premier League tournament, to be played in India from 16-28 June.
Springbok Women’s training squad (with provincial teams): Sanelisiwe Charlie, Yonela Ngxingolo, Vainah Ubisi, Anathi Qolo, Sizophila Solontsi, Faith Tshauke, Lerato Makua, Sinelitha Noxeke, Unam Tose, Libbie Janse van Rensburg, Ayanda Malinga, Naima Hlatshwayo, Shaunique Alexander, Jakkie Cilliers, Byrhandré Dolf, Maria Tshiremba, Patience Mokone, Zintle Mpupha (all Isuzu Bulls Daisies), Roseline Botes, Babalwa Latsha, Thandile Mazwi, Nomsa Mokwai, Logan Welman, Alichia Arries, Donelle Snyders, Anushka Groenewald (all DHL Western Province), Xoliswa Khuzwayo, Catha Jacobs (both Golden Lions Women), Felicia Jacobs, Eloise Webb, Maceala Samboya, Shiniqwa Lamprecht (all Sanlam Boland Dames), Nombuyekezo Mdliki, Aphiwe Ngwevu (both Border Ladies), Nobuhle Mjwara (Sharks Women), Anacadia Minnaar (EP Queens), Micke Gunter (Leicester Tigers Women), Danelle Lochner (Harlequins Women).
© SA Rugby