The Springbok Women have climbed to ninth place in the World Rugby rankings, the highest position the team has ever reached. World Rugby confirmed the new ranking on Monday.
The rise comes after a 2026 season in which South Africa won eight of their 12 Tests. The team now turns its focus to a rematch against Ireland at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday.
“That is one of the reasons why all of us want to go out there this weekend and redeem ourselves by overturning the result against Ireland,” winger Alichia Arries said. “We are determined to dish up a proper performance.”
Ireland, who are ranked fifth in the world, beat the Springbok Women 40-27 at the same venue last weekend. Players celebrated the new ranking quietly at their Cape Town training base, but the main goal in camp is to win the second match.
Arries, who is 24, scored one of the five tries in that first Test. In the 79th minute, she caught a cross-kick from Mary Zulu and touched down in the corner.
It was her sixth Test try. It was also the first time she played for the Springbok Women with her four-year-old daughter watching from the stands, along with other family members.
“That was pretty special. 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,” Arries said.
She said the team saw open space on the outside as the game went on. “When the ball was kicked in my direction, I just had to get hold of it and get it over the line,” she said.
The Western Province player has played in 11 of South Africa’s 12 Tests this year. She returned to the national team after a strong push to win back her place.
Earlier this season she scored a long-range try against the United States at Loftus Versfeld. That try drew praise from around the world, but she said scoring in front of her daughter at Athlone meant more.
“There is something about playing at Athlone. The crowds are just amazing and so, so supportive of the Springbok Women,” Arries said.
The squad spent Monday reviewing the defeat. Players looked at the mistakes that let Ireland pull away in the second half.
“We were poor at times; our handling let us down and even first-time tackling was not great at crucial times,” Arries said. “Ireland also had a very good kicking game that left us scrambling a bit at times.”
She added that the team believes it can adjust after facing Ireland once. “Every team we play against has something different, and now that we have played Ireland, I believe we can adapt for the second Test,” she said.
Arries said the players hope to end the year on a high in front of the Athlone crowd and their families.
Co-head coaches Franzel September and Laurian Johannes-Haupt are working on changes to deal with Ireland’s kicking and phase play. They will name their matchday 23 on Thursday.
Source: this article is based on reporting by IOL Sport. Image: IOL Sport. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice Sports desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Tiyani Mathebula writes about sport for Tzaneen Voice. Tiyani covers Bafana Bafana, the Springboks, the Proteas and the PSL, along with athletics, tennis and local club sport. Match reports and previews focus on results, team news, fixtures and what each game means for South African teams and fans.