Micke Gunter is the mouthpiece for a squad with clear ambitions beyond last year's World Cup quarter-final run — the target is a genuine top-ten world ranking by 2026. Speaking ahead of the home Test against eighth-ranked USA at Ellis Park, Gunter describes a camp running at high intensity and a group determined to lift the jersey beyond where it was left after the World Cup. Her season at Leicester has given her a reference point for what professional women's rugby can look like when it's embraced — she points to full stadiums in England as a model worth building toward here. The USA test is no gimme: their PWR-hardened squad will want to play at pace, and Gunter knows several of them personally. But the Bok Women's framing is unambiguous — this isn't consolidation, it's escalation.
Bok Women targeting top-ten rankings push ahead of USA test at Ellis Park
Gunter frames the USA test as the opening move in a deliberate 2026 rankings push, with a high-intensity Stellenbosch camp and clear ambitions to go further than the World Cup quarter-final run suggested.
Gunter calls on Springbok Women to lift rankings push ahead of USA Test
Micke Gunter says the Springbok Women are targeting a further climb up the world rankings in 2026, with the squad's first home Test of the year against eighth-ranked USA at Ellis Park the opening opportunity.
Erasmus holds no grudges over Brown's All Blacks move, eyes replacements
Rassie Erasmus says the Springboks have replacement candidates in mind for Tony Brown after New Zealand Rugby confirmed the attack coach will join the All Blacks setup post-2027 Rugby World Cup, while SA Rugby moves to finalise the rest of the coaching staff's contracts before year's end.
Erasmus welcomes Brown clarity, vows not to repeat 2023 contract mistake
Rassie Erasmus has welcomed the early confirmation of Tony Brown's post-2027 move to the All Blacks, saying SA Rugby is determined not to repeat the mistake of leaving coaching futures unresolved in a World Cup year — a situation that played out with Jacques Nienaber and Felix Jones before the 2023 tournament.
Brown confirms post-2027 All Blacks move but eyes World Cup glory with Boks first
Springbok attack coach Tony Brown will join Dave Rennie's All Blacks staff from 2028, but remains committed to helping South Africa win a third successive World Cup title before his departure.
Tony Brown to join All Blacks backroom staff in 2028 after Springbok contract ends
NZR have confirmed Tony Brown will join the All Blacks' backroom staff in 2028 on a two-year contract, with the Springboks attack coach set to depart after the 2027 Rugby World Cup. It is the third time NZR have pursued Brown, having previously been rejected during the Foster and Robertson eras.