The Bok Women's 2026 calendar is stacking up as arguably their most significant yet — home Tests against the USA, Ireland, and a double-header against the Black Ferns at FNB Stadium on September 5 as part of Rugby's Greatest Rivalry. Juan de Jongh, speaking at the Klipdrift-SA Rugby partnership launch, is bullish about what the occasion could mean for the women's game, pointing to the atmosphere a near-capacity FNB Stadium would generate. The backdrop is a 2025 Rugby World Cup quarterfinal that ended 46-17 to the Black Ferns but told a more competitive story — South Africa went into the break level at 10-10 before New Zealand pulled away. De Jongh credits Swys de Bruin's programme and SA Rugby's grassroots pipeline, including cross-code recruitment and the U20 pathway, for the visible improvement in individual skills over the past five years, and sees the September occasion as the kind of platform that accelerates that growth further.
FNB Stadium double-header set to be landmark moment for Bok Women
The Bok Women face the Black Ferns in a double-header at FNB Stadium in September 2026 — part of Rugby's Greatest Rivalry — with Juan de Jongh arguing the occasion could be a defining moment for the women's programme's upward trajectory.
- Springbok Women
- Ireland
- FNB Stadium
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.
Wales lose Powell to hamstring injury ahead of Springbok Women clash at Cardiff Arms Park
Kayleigh Powell has been ruled out of Wales' entire WXV Global Series campaign with a hamstring injury, adding to the absences of Donna Rose, Kelsie Webster and Hanna Tudor ahead of Friday's Test against the Springbok Women at Cardiff Arms Park.
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.
Springbok Women's blockbuster 2026 schedule confirmed with Italy Test added
The Springbok Women's 2026 schedule features home Tests against the USA, Black Ferns and Ireland, plus a trip to Italy — all four opponents ranked in the world's top 10.