The Springbok Women will host Ireland in a historic first Test series between the two countries on consecutive weekends at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday, 24 October and Saturday, 31 October 2026, as part of the WXV Global Series announced at the end of the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025.
SA Rugby confirmed the two Tests will take place at Athlone Stadium, with 15h00 kick-off times perfect for late spring afternoon rugby. The two teams have 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.”
Springbok Women Head Coach, Swys de Bruin
“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 Springbok 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.
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“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.”
Ireland Coach, Scott Bemand
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.
Meanwhile, De Bruin has named an experienced group of players to start preparing for the USA series from Wednesday, 17 June, 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.
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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, Byrhandré Dolf, Ayanda Malinga and Catha 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 to 28 June 2026.
Springbok Women’s Training Squad (with Provincial Teams)
1. Alichia Arries (DHL Western Province)
2. Anacadia Minnaar (EP Queens)
3. Anathi Qolo (Isuzu Bulls Daisies)
4. Anushka Groenewald (DHL Western Province)
5. Aphiwe Ngwevu (Border Ladies)
6. Ayanda Malinga (Isuzu Bulls Daisies)
7. Babalwa Latsha (DHL Western Province)
8. Byrhandré Dolf (Isuzu Bulls Daisies)
9. Catha Jacobs (Golden Lions Women)
10. Danelle Lochner (Harlequins Women)
11. Donelle Snyders (DHL Western Province)
12. Eloise Webb (Sanlam Boland Dames)
13. Faith Tshauke (Isuzu Bulls Daisies)
14. Felicia Jacobs (Sanlam Boland Dames)
15. Jakkie Cilliers (Isuzu Bulls Daisies)
16. Lerato Makua (Isuzu Bulls Daisies)
17. Libbie Janse van Rensburg (Isuzu Bulls Daisies)
18. Logan Welman (DHL Western Province)
19. Maceala Samboya (Sanlam Boland Dames)
20. Maria Tshiremba (Isuzu Bulls Daisies)
21. Micke Gunter (Leicester Tigers Women)
22. Naima Hlatshwayo (Isuzu Bulls Daisies)
23. Nobuhle Mjwara (Sharks Women)
24. Nombuyekezo Mdliki (Border Ladies)
25. Nomsa Mokwai (DHL Western Province)
26. Patience Mokone (Isuzu Bulls Daisies)
27. Sanelisiwe Charlie (Isuzu Bulls Daisies)
28. Shaunique Alexander (Isuzu Bulls Daisies)
29. Shiniqwa Lamprecht (Sanlam Boland Dames)
30. Sinelitha Noxeke (Isuzu Bulls Daisies)
31. Sizophila Solontsi (Isuzu Bulls Daisies)
32. Thandile Mazwi (DHL Western Province)
33. Unam Tose (Isuzu Bulls Daisies)
34. Vainah Ubisi (Isuzu Bulls Daisies)
35. Xoliswa Khuzwayo (Golden Lions Women)
36. Yonela Ngxingolo (Isuzu Bulls Daisies)
37. Zintle Mpupha (Isuzu Bulls Daisies)
Springbok Women Home Fixtures for the 2026 WXV Global Series from 4 July to 31 October 2026
4 July 2026, 13h30: Springbok Women vs. USA (Ellis Park, Johannesburg)
11 July 2026, 13h30: Springbok Women vs. USA (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria)
5 Sept. 2026, 13h30: Springbok Women vs. Black Ferns (FNB Stadium, Johannesburg)
24 Oct. 2026, 15h00: Springbok Women vs. Ireland (Athlone Stadium, Cape Town)
31 Oct. 2026, 15h00: Springbok Women vs. Ireland (Athlone Stadium, Cape Town)
Original Copy: SA Rugby Communications, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: The Springbok Women will host Ireland in a first Test series between the two nations in the WXV Global Series, with head coach Swys de Bruin building towards the 2029 World Cup, at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday, 24 October and Saturday, 31 October 2026. Photo: Gallo Images / SA Rugby
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