The Springbok Women beat the USA Women 34-21 (half-time 29-0) in the first of two Tests between the sides, at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on Saturday, 4 July 2026.
A superb first-half performance all but sealed a famous first home victory over the Eagles, as head coach Swys de Bruin’s side built on their recent good form. Although the visitors came back strongly in the second half, it was the Bok Women’s play before the break that had their fans smiling broadly.
The home team not only managed the game brilliantly, but basically set up camp in the USA half, scoring five tries before the interval.
Ayanda Malinga opened the scoring in the sixth minute, on hand to take the pass from a rampant Vainah Ubisi, who made great metres before putting the speedster away, with Jakkie Cilliers adding the extras. The Bok Women kept hammering away at the American defence and Unam Tose crossed in the 12th minute, before captain Babalwa Latsha added her name to the score sheet midway through the half as the hosts remained patient on attack.
“This is our biggest win over them in six Test matches, and we nearly overhauled them on the world rankings as well.”
Springbok Women Captain, Babalwa Latsha
Logan Welman then scored twice in the last 10 minutes of the half, both from attacking scrums, with the second converted by Cilliers to give South Africa a commanding lead at the break.
Almost from the restart, the impressive Ubisi finished off a period of sustained pressure to push the lead to 34-0. The USA then started to find some rhythm, and Freda Tafuna finally breached the South African line on the hour, with Bella Vogel converting. Six minutes later it was 34-14 after Tessa Hann broke through before Ashley Cowdrey scored next to the posts, and a late error allowed Elizabeth Cook over from a series of pick-and-drives to complete the scoring, but it was too little, too late.
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There was consolation for the visitors in some memorable individual milestones, as Cowdrey and Cook both scored their tries on their Test debuts, while loose forward Kate Zackary earned her 50th cap, becoming only the third player to reach the milestone for the Eagles.
De Bruin rated the opening 40 minutes as the best half of rugby since his appointment.
“We played a brilliant first half, the best half of rugby I experienced with this team since I joined them,” said De Bruin. “That was perfect rugby, so I cannot be too hard on them because we allowed USA back into the game in the second half. Remember, the Eagles are a very good team in their own right.
“I am a very proud coach today. We showed up and we played very well and this was a very good win.”
Springbok Women Head Coach, Swys de Bruin
“The fact that we did not play so well in the second half can be contributed to a number of factors, one of those could be that my message at half-time were not as well understood as the one before the game. But that was a good thing that we were not that great, as we now have clear work-ons for next weekend’s match.”
For De Bruin, the physicality of his pack in the first half was the big difference between the sides, while Latsha praised her team’s grit and determination:
“We wanted to lay down a marker that we are a serious team. We wanted to show people that those foundations laid at the Women’s Rugby World Cup are still in place and solid enough to build on.
“This was a good statement. Yes, we fell away a bit in the second half, but as the coach said, we now have a clear idea on things we can improve in the coming week. Next weekend’s game will show our ability to adapt and grow.”
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Latsha said the experience gained from a match like this will help the squad in their growth: “We saw that we can execute and be successful. The coaches laid out a great plan for us. This is our biggest win over them in six test matches and we nearly overhauled them on the world rankings as well. We can’t wait for next weekend.”
The squad will remain at their training base in Sandton this week before travelling to Pretoria on Saturday for the second Test at Loftus Versfeld.
The Springbok Women vs. USA Women Eagles Test Series from Saturday, 4 July 2026 to Saturday, 11 July 2026
Saturday, 4 July 2026: Springbok Women 34-21 USA Women (Ellis Park, Johannesburg)
Saturday, 11 July 2026, 13h30: Springbok Women vs. USA Women (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria)
First Test Result
Springbok Women 34 (29) – 21 (0) USA Women’s Eagles
Scorers
South Africa Tries: Ayanda Malinga, Unam Tose, Babalwa Latsha, Logan Welman (2), Vainah Ubisi
Conversions: Jakkie Cilliers (2)
USA Women Tries: Freda Tafuna, Ashley Cowdrey, Elizabeth Cook
Conversions: Bella Vogel (3)
Springbok Women Starting XV
1. Sanelisiwe Charlie
2. Micke Gunter
3. Babalwa Latsha (Captain)
4. Vainah Ubisi
5. Danelle Lochner
6. Sizophila Solontsi
7. Catha Jacobs
8. Logan Welman
9. Unam Tose
10. Libbie Janse van Rensburg
11. Alichia Arries
12. Aphiwe Ngwevu
13. Ayanda Malinga
14. Jakkie Cilliers
15. Byrhandré Dolf
Replacements
16. Anushka Groenewald
17. Yonela Ngxingolo
18. Thandile Mazwi
19. Anathi Qolo
20. Sinelitha Noxeke
21. Faith Tshauke
22. Felicia Jacobs
23. Eloise Webb
USA Women Starting XV
1. Hope Rogers
2. Kathryn Treder
3. Reece Woods
4. Rachel Ehrecke
5. Hallie Taufoou
6. Kate Zackary
7. Georgie Perris-Redding (Captain)
8. Freda Tafuna
9. Cass Bargell
10. Bella Vogel
11. Ashley Cowdrey (Debut)
12. Katana Howard
13. Telesi Uhatafe
14. Bulou Mataitoga
15. Alev Kelter
Replacements
16. Paige Stathopoulos
17. Alivia Leatherman
18. Elizabeth Cook (Debut)
19. Kapoina Bailey
20. Tessa Hann
21. Hann Humphreys
22. Olivia Ortiz
23. Kristin Bitter
Original Copy: SA Rugby Communications, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: The Springbok Women claimed a famous first home victory over the USA Women Eagles, running in six tries to win 34-21 in the first of two Tests, at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on Saturday, 4 July 2026. All Photos: Gallo Images / SA Rugby
Photo 2 Caption: Springbok Women lock Vainah Ubisi created the opening try and dotted down after sustained pressure in the first of two Tests.
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