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Springbok Women end 2026 season ranked ninth in world

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The Springbok Women reached ninth on the World Rugby rankings, their best place since their first Test in 2004. They beat the USA and Italy, both ranked higher, during a season that also saw a coaching change.

The season began with three wins at the Rugby Africa Women's Cup in Kenya. South Africa beat Madagascar 64-5, Uganda 47-20 and Kenya 35-20. Alichia Arries scored four tries at the event, and Jakkie Cilliers was the leading points scorer.

The USA Eagles series was split. South Africa won the first Test 34-21 at Ellis Park, and the USA won the second 26-19 at Loftus Versfeld. Libbie Janse van Rensburg extended her points record to 219. In Fiji, South Africa won 55-12 in Suva and 29-22 in Lautoka. Maria Tshiremba scored three tries on debut in Lautoka.

Head coach Swys de Bruin stepped away after the Fiji tour. Laurian Johannes-Haupt and Franzel September then took over as interim co-head coaches. New Zealand's Black Ferns beat the Springboks 52-20 at FNB Stadium.

In the WXV Global Series, South Africa lost 50-19 to Wales in Cardiff. They then beat Italy 41-29 in Udine and Spain 20-0 in Seville. Ireland won both Tests at Athlone Stadium, 40-27 and 38-17. Prop Yonela Ngxingolo became only the second Springbok Women player to reach 50 Test caps.

Key facts

Who
Laurian Johannes-Haupt (co-coach of Springbok Women, later interim co-head coach); Franzel September (co-coach of Springbok Women, later interim co-head coach); Swys de Bruin (former head coach who stepped away after the Fiji tour); Anathi Qolo (captain at the Rugby Africa Women's Cup)
What
A season review of the Springbok Women's 2026 international campaign, listing results across the Rugby Africa Women's Cup, the USA Eagles series, the Fiji tour, a Black Ferns match, the WXV Global Series and the Ireland matches. The article reports the team reached ninth on the World Rugby rankings and beat the USA and Italy, both ranked higher.
When
2026
Where
Kenya, Johannesburg, Pretoria
Status
Final result

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