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.
Bok Women shut out Spain 20-0 to end WXV Global Series tour on a high
The Springbok Women shut out Spain 20-0 in Seville to end their WXV Global Series tour, with co-head coach Franzel September highlighting disciplined defence and set-piece control despite front-row injuries to Babalwa Latsha and Nombuyekezo Mdliki. The squad returns home on Tuesday ahead of two Tests against Ireland in Cape Town.
Etzebeth chases series win as record 146th cap beckons in Baltimore
Eben Etzebeth is set to earn a record 146th Test cap when the Springboks face the All Blacks in Baltimore on Saturday, with the series on the line — a Springbok win seals Rugby's Greatest Rivalry trophy, while defeat results in a draw.
Black Ferns too sharp for Springbok Women despite scrum dominance
The Springbok Women were beaten 52-20 by New Zealand at FNB Stadium, losing despite dominating the scrum and maul, with finishing and handling errors undermining a competitive first-half performance.
Bok Women face Black Ferns in historic FNB test — without their coach
South Africa's historic home debut against the Black Ferns comes at an awkward moment — Swys de Bruin resigned mid-week, leaving assistants to take charge. Rugby365 breaks down the teams, the key matchups, and tips New Zealand by 12.
2029 World Cup medal target sharpens Springbok Women's focus on historic Fiji series
The Springbok Women begin a historic first-ever two-Test series in Fiji on Saturday, with assistant coach Franzel September explicitly targeting a 2029 Rugby World Cup medal as the programme's benchmark.