The Bok Women are heading to Cape Town
SPOTLIGHT: The Springbok Women will finish a bumper season with a massive challenge when they welcome Ireland to South African shores for the first time for two WXV Global Series Tests in Cape Town later this month.
The Bok Women take on the fifth-ranked team in the world on their first visit to South Africa at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town.
Both matches are scheduled to kick off at 15.00 on the last two Saturdays of October 24 and 31. Tickets are sold per match and are only available from Ticketmaster.
Ireland are fresh from two wins over Japan and a close defeat against the USA in the WXV Global Series. Earlier this season they finished third in the Women’s Six Nations.
The Bok Women in turn lost to Wales but beat Italy and Spain on their WXV Global Series tour. Earlier this year they won the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup, drew the two-Test series at home against the USA, and lost in a once-off clash against the Black Ferns of New Zealand.
“After a wobbly start against Wales, the Springbok Women really made a step up with good victories over Italy and Spain, and we are confident they will hit the ground running when they face Ireland in a few weeks’ time,” said Rian Oberholzer, CEO of SA Rugby.
“It’s imperative for our women to play against better-ranked teams than themselves and the two games against Ireland provides them with that opportunity.
“The Irish have a very strong women’s programme, and they will provide a stern test to the Bok Women, and along with the Black Ferns of New Zealand, will probably be their strongest opposition this year.
“The Bok Women showed with their victory over the USA in Johannesburg earlier this season that they can take on higher-ranked teams, and we wish them all the best for their final two Tests of a bumper 2026.”
The last and only time the Bok Women faced Ireland was more than 20 years ago, at the 2006 Women’s Rugby World Cup in Canada, where the Irish won 37-0.
Jess Ling from Australia has been appointed to referee both Tests. She will be assisted by Precious Pazani (Zimbabwe) and Giana Viljoen (SA), with Matteo Liperini (Italy) appointed as TMO and South Africa’s Quinton Immelman as the Foul Play Review Officer.
South Africa v Ireland
Date: Saturday, October 24
Venue: Athlone Stadium, Cape Town
Kick-off: 15.00 (13.00 GMT)
South Africa v Ireland
Date: Saturday, 31 October
Venue: Athlone Stadium, Cape Town
Kick-off: 15.00 (13.00 GMT)
