The Springbok Women have climbed to ninth in the world rankings — their highest-ever position — a year after first breaking into the top ten. The latest World Rugby update confirmed the rise, which reflects eight wins from 12 Tests in 2026, with one match still to play against Ireland in Cape Town on Saturday.
While the team again went without a nomination in World Rugby's women's awards, winger Alichia Arries provided her own highlight in last weekend's 40-27 loss to Ireland at Athlone Stadium. Her 79th-minute try — her sixth in 13 Tests — came from a Mary Zulu cross kick and was scored in front of her four-year-old daughter Tatum, making it the winger's first Springbok appearance with her child in the stands.
"That was pretty special — it was also the first time I played for the Springbok Women in front of her," said Arries, who was involved in 11 of the team's 12 Tests this season after a strong return to international rugby in 2026. The DHL Western Province back, who also scored against the USA at Loftus earlier in the year, described the Athlone moment as the best feeling of her career.
On the defeat itself, Arries was candid: "We were poor at times, our handling let us down and even first-time tackling was not great at crucial times. Ireland also had a very good kicking game that left us scrambling."
The squad has since reviewed the performance and the focus shifts to reversing Saturday's result in the second Test. "Come Saturday we promise a better showing," Arries said. The match-23 will be named on Thursday.