Alichia Arries hasn't worn the Springbok Women's XV jersey since 2021 — her first caps came against Kenya, and fittingly, it's Kenya where she returns to fifteens rugby at the Rugby Africa Women's Cup this weekend. In between: a Sevens career spanning four HSBC SVNS tournaments, the birth of her daughter, injuries, club rugby for Van der Stel/Evergreens, and a pathway back through the Betway Women's Club Championship and a strong Western Province Super League season. Now 24, she's clear-eyed about what's changed — less about personal milestones, more about purpose and understanding the weight of the jersey. With nine uncapped players in the squad, Arries sees genuine internal competition to cement a spot ahead of the tougher international fixtures later this year, but her message is straightforward: the team result comes first. She's also flagging Madagascar — Saturday's opponents — as a ball-in-hand threat, drawing on her Sevens experience against them.