After edging the Bok Women 40-22 in the first WXV Global Series Test on South African soil, Ireland head coach Scott Bemand and captain Erin King were candid in their respect — and their concern. Both pointed to the Bok Women's trajectory as a genuine World Cup threat, with Bemand noting the rapid investment and growth mirroring Ireland's own development curve two or three years ago. King flagged the physicality of the Springbok pack as among the toughest she's encountered, and both backed South Africa to be "right in the mix" in Australia in 2029. The scoreline flattered Ireland slightly — five tries conceded, six scored — and the piece frames this series as a useful benchmark for how quickly the Bok Women are closing the gap on the game's established nations.
Ireland's camp issues 2029 World Cup warning over Bok Women's rise
Ireland's coaching staff and captain issued a genuine 2029 World Cup warning about the Bok Women after a closer-than-it-looks 40-22 series-opener win, with both sides now heading into the second Test with plenty to prove.
Ngxingolo set to become second Springbok Women's player to reach 50 Test caps
Yonela Ngxingolo will become only the second Springbok Women's player to reach 50 Test caps when South Africa face Ireland at Athlone Stadium on Saturday, with the Bulls Daisies prop named on the bench for the historic occasion.
Bok Women face unfamiliar foe in Ireland — but Jacobs backs small-battle approach to break new ground
Catha Jacobs breaks down why Ireland — the only top-10 side this Bok Women's squad has never faced — are a genuine challenge, and explains the set-piece focus and 'small battles' mindset they're taking into Saturday's WXV clash at Athlone 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.
Springbok Women host Ireland in historic Cape Town double-header
South Africa host Ireland in Cape Town on Saturday in the first of two WXV Tests — a fixture 20 years in the making, with Rugby365 backing the Springbok Women to win by 10 points.
Groenewald poised for Cape Town milestone as Bok Women prepare for Ireland
Anushka Groenewald, who has featured in 10 of the Springbok Women's 11 Tests in 2026, is set for a first Cape Town Test appearance when the Bok Women host fifth-ranked Ireland at Athlone Stadium on Saturday, with squad changes also confirmed ahead of the WXV Global Series fixture.