The Springbok Women have climbed to ninth in the world rankings — their highest position ever — a year after first breaking into the top ten. The milestone, confirmed in a World Rugby update on Monday, was met with quiet satisfaction at the squad's Cape Town training base, where preparations for Saturday's second Test against Ireland are underway.
The ranking reflects a strong 2026 campaign in which the team posted eight wins from 12 Tests. Ireland's 40-27 victory at Athlone Stadium last Saturday was a setback, but the second Test at the same venue this weekend gives the Springbok Women the chance to level the series before the year ends.
While the squad were also absent from the World Rugby women's award nominees announced on Monday, winger Alichia Arries provided the individual highlight of the Ireland match. The 24-year-old DHL Western Province player finished off a cross kick from Mary Zulu in the 79th minute — her sixth Test try in 13 appearances — in front of her four-year-old daughter Tatum and the rest of her family, marking the first time she had played for the Springbok Women with her daughter in the stands.
"That was pretty special," Arries said. "It was also the first time I played for the Springbok Women in front of her, so it was really great finishing off the good work on the inside from our team. We identified that open space as the match progressed and when the ball was kicked in my direction, I just had to get hold of it and get it over the line."
Arries, who featured in 11 of the 12 Tests this season after making a strong comeback to international rugby in 2026, was candid about where the team fell short in the first Test. "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 a bit at times. But that was last weekend — come Saturday we promise a better showing."
She was also emphatic about the role the Athlone crowd plays. "There is something about playing at Athlone, the crowds are just amazing and so, so supportive of the Springbok Women. That is one of the reasons why all of us want to go out there this weekend and redeem ourselves."
The match-23 for Saturday's second Test will be announced on Thursday.