The Springbok Women closed their 2026 season with a 38-17 defeat to Ireland in the final round of the inaugural WXV Global Series, though co-head coaches Laurian Johannes-Haupt and Franzel September counted growth, new depth and crucial wins among the year’s gains, after the Test at the Athlone Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday, 31 October 2026.
South Africa struck first through scrum-half Unam Tose in the second minute and captain Sizophila Solontsi crossed before the break, with Ireland captain Erin King and wing Béibhinn Parsons scoring in between.
Second-row Vainah Ubisi’s try shortly before the hour returned the lead to the hosts at 17-14, but Parsons struck straight back and Ireland ran in three unanswered tries in the last 10 minutes, two from Aoife Dalton and one completing Parsons’ hat-trick. Ireland had won the first Test 40-27 a week earlier.
“They really showed their class in the last 10 minutes, and their ability to score when they were in our 22-metre area was top drawer and something we need to get to as well,” said Johannes-Haupt.
Sizophila Solontsi to Lead Springbok Women Against Ireland
Anacadia Minnaar and Insaaf Levy Join Bok Women for Ireland Tests
Springbok Women End European Tour With Clean Sheet in Seville
Springbok Women Name Side for WXV Global Series Tour Finale in Seville
Springbok Women Claim First Ever Win on Italian Soil in Pordenone
Springbok Women Turn to Italy After WXV Global Series Opening Defeat in Cardiff
“We had our moments in the match and leading 17-14 with the last 20 minutes to play was where we wanted to be. But a yellow card and some sloppy defence out wide did not help our cause today and that was pretty disappointing.
“Overall, we showed good growth and learnings during the year, but we let ourselves down in the final minutes here.”
Springbok Women Co-Head Coach, Laurian Johannes-Haupt
Johannes-Haupt said injuries also created opportunities: “We are ultimately building towards the next World Cup and part of that strategy involves the blooding of new players, but injuries does force your hand at times. Overall though, I am pleased with the year and the development of players.”
September said the team had addressed the previous week’s work-ons: “We certainly had a hard look at ourselves and we managed to streamline mistakes from last week, but then let it slip in the final phases of the match.
“That was disappointing of course, but that also gave us a reality check on what is needed to trade blows with the number five team in the world. They were clinical when they entered our red zone and made every entry count.”
Springbok Women Co-Head Coach, Franzel September
Solontsi said the team’s leadership eased her path after she took over the captaincy following the injury to Babalwa Latsha. “They added value to me and that helped a lot,” she said.
“We saw today we can compete against the best, but the work is far from done. I told the girls afterwards that this break in our season does not mean that we can forget about rugby for a couple of months.
“We must use this time to mould our skills and add to our overall skill set. This is not a time to forget about the good things we have done, rather an opportunity to go from here and improve ourselves. When we come back next year, we must be better and more skilled.”
On the final weekend of the series, which spanned 38 fixtures as teams build towards Women’s Rugby World Cup 2029, England beat the USA 55-12 at Sports Illustrated Stadium, with player of the match Claudia Moloney-MacDonald scoring four tries. New Zealand completed a clean sweep over France with a 36-7 win in Christchurch, where wing Shyrah Tuliau Tua’a scored twice.
St Stithians Girls’ Prep Win RCS Rising Star Tennis National Title
Leah Markgraaff and Chanel Veldsman Medal in Dakar
Casandra Alexander Seals LET Order of Merit in Chinese Taipei
Glenrose Xaba and Carina Swiegers Win Region 5 Marathon Titles
Jade Wilson Wins Pete Marlin and SA Ocean Racing Title
Tswelopele Mohapi Is Writing Her Own Story in Sports PR
Wales completed the double over Japan with a 29-5 win in Kumagaya City, Amy Williams scoring twice. At the World Rugby Awards 2026, New Zealand’s Kaipo Olsen-Baker was named Women’s 15s Player of the Year and Elinor-Plum King Women’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year.
The Springbok Women vs. Ireland WXV Global Series at the Athlone Stadium
Sat 24 Oct, 15h00: Springbok Women 27-40 Ireland
Sat 31 Oct, 15h00: Springbok Women 17-38 Ireland
Scorers in the Final Test at the Athlone Stadium on Saturday 31 October 2026
Springbok Women 17 (10) – Tries: Unam Tose, Sizophila Solontsi, Vainah Ubisi
Conversion: Jakkie Cilliers
Ireland 38 (14) – Tries: Erin King, Beibhinn Parsons (3), Aoife Dalton (2)
Conversions: Dannah O’Brien (4)
The Springbok Women Starting XV vs Ireland in Cape Town
15. Byrhandré Dolf
14. Jakkie Cilliers
13. Maceala Samboya
12. Shiniqwa Lamprecht
11. Alichia Arries
10. Mary Zulu
9. Unam Tose
8. Aseza Hele
7. Catha Jacobs
6. Sizophila Solontsi (captain)
5. Danelle Lochner
4. Vainah Ubisi
3. Xoliswa Khuzwayo
2. Lindelwa Gwala
1. Yonela Ngxingolo
Replacements
16. Anushka Groenewald
17. Anuschka Ekron
18. Thandile Mazwi
19. Nomsa Mokwai
20. Aphiwe Ngwevu
21. Lerato Makua
22. Insaaf Levy
23. Maria Tshiremba
Ireland Starting XV vs South Africa
15. Niamh Gallagher
14. Béibhinn Parsons
13. Anna McGann
12. Aoife Dalton
11. Robyn O’Connor
10. Dannah O’Brien
9. Aoibheann Reilly
1. Linda Djougang
2. Neve Jones
3. Eilís Cahill
4. Jane Clohessy
5. Dorothy Wall
6. Fiona Tuite-O’Sullivan
7. Erin King (captain)
8. Brittany Hogan
Replacements
16. Beth Buttimer
17. Niamh O’Dowd
18. Sophie Barrett
19. Grace Moore
20. Jemima Adams Verling
21. Emily Lane
22. Eve Higgins
23. Stacey Flood
Original Copy: SA Rugby Communications and World Rugby, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: Springbok Women scored three tries as the hosts held a 17-14 lead with 20 minutes to play, before Ireland finished with three unanswered tries for a 38-17 win in the final round of the inaugural WXV Global Series at the Athlone Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday, 31 October 2026. Photo: SA Rugby / Gallo Images
(0 rating, 0 votes, rated)
Loading...
