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South Africa Women’s Rugby Union Team
The South Africa women’s rugby team, known as the Springboks, is a strong and unyielding force. Despite being one of the youngest teams on the international stage, the Springboks are a global force. They’ve appeared at four Rugby World Cup tournaments and they have won all three editions of the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup so far.
Want to explore the Springboks’ scores, upcoming matches and squad announcements? Scroll down to uncover their history, discover their best players and read the latest updates.
South Africa Women’s at the Rugby World Cup
South Africa qualified for their first Rugby World Cup in 2006. The team only contested their first international in 2004, which meant they were not eligible to participate in the first four editions of the tournament.
The Springboks’ debut at the Rugby World Cup was a non-starter. The team lost all three of their pool-stage matches and faced two further defeats in the ninth to 12th place play-offs. First, they lost 43-10 to Samoa. Next, they were defeated 36-0 by Kazakhstan. As a result, they finished the tournament in last place.
South Africa’s fortunes improved at the next two tournaments. They finished 10th in 2010 and 2014, winning two matches in the former and one in the latter.
After not entering the 2017 tournament, South Africa qualified for the 2021 Rugby World Cup. Unfortunately, the draw placed the Springboks in one of the tournament’s toughest groups: Pool C. They exited the competition after losing against France, Fiji and two-time champions, England.
After their disappointment in 2021, South Africa will be hoping to make a big comeback at the 2025 Rugby World Cup. The team qualified for the tournament by winning the 2024 Rugby Africa Women’s Cup.
History of the Springboks Women’s Rugby Team
The South Africa women’s rugby team took to the international stage in 2004. They played their first test against Wales and the match took place at Port Elizabeth in South Africa. The visitors succeeded and won this tense test 8-5.
The following year, the Springboks women’s team suffered a devastating defeat. They faced a steely and skillful England side who prevented them from scoring a single point. The match ended 101-0, a loss that remains South Africa’s biggest defeat.
Since then, the South Africa women’s team has risen to the challenge of competing in elite international competitions. They’ve secured 10th place at the Rugby World Cup (2010 and 2014) and they’ve won all three editions of the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup (2019, 2023 and 2024). It was at this tournament that the Springboks produced their record victory. This occurred in 2022, when they defeated Namibia 128-3.
South Africa Women’s Rugby Squad
A prodigiously talented team, the current Springboks women’s lineup includes several established Rugby World Cup players. This includes lock Nolusindiso Booi, who has represented South Africa at three tournaments (2010, 2014 and 2021). Additionally, both Tayla Kinsey and Asithandile Ntoyanto have appeared at two Rugby World Cups (2014 and 2021).