Springbok Women: Everything You Need to Know  

The Springbok Women have transformed rugby for women around South Africa. Since their formation in 2004, they have developed into a national team South Africans are proud of. They currently rank 10th in the world, which is impressive considering they are one of the youngest teams on the international stage.  

Over the years, the Springbok Women have established themselves as a dominant rugby team within Africa. In doing so, they have closed the gap on the world’s leading rugby nations while paving the way for future generations.  

From their formation to their biggest achievements, here’s everything you need to know about South Africa’s women’s rugby team.  

Who Are the Springbok Women? 

The Springbok Women are South Africa’s national women’s rugby union team. They compete in international Test matches throughout the year against leading rugby nations. As such, they represent the highest level of women’s rugby in South Africa.  

History of the Springbok Women 

Before the establishment of a national women’s team, women’s rugby in South Africa was played but not really formalised. In 2004, the Springbok Women formed to play their first official Test match.  

Two years later, they qualified for their first Rugby World Cup. By the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup, they had made their maiden knockout round, making the quarterfinals. This shows the level of investment SA Rugby has made into the women’s coaching structures and player development programmes.  

So much so that South African rugby is recognised as being the strongest women’s rugby nation in Africa. The Springbok Women are able to compete with the top rugby nations.  

Achievements and Major Competitions 

The Springbok Women continue making history on both the African and international stages with their appearances in the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup and Rugby World Cup.  

They have won all three editions of the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup, including the 2019 and 2022 Cups. Winning this tournament often secures qualification for the Women’s Rugby World Cup.  

Held once every four years, the Rugby World Cup is the peak of international women’s rugby. South Africa have appeared in seven out of eight of the last Rugby World Cups.  

WXV is a World Rugby annual international competition that brings nations from around the world together to gain valuable ranking points. Not only this, but it increases exposure for players with international opposition.  

Victories in such matches have helped the Springbok Women strengthen their standings and qualify for international tournaments.  

Current Squad 

Like the Springboks, the Springbok Women’s squad is selected from the country’s best provincial players. The squad continuously changes to allow for different players to shine. But the current captain is Babalwa Latsha.  

How Players Become Springbok Women 

One of the most asked questions by rugby fans is how players get picked for the Springbok Women. The answer? The road to becoming a professional woman rugby player has improved in the last decade, especially as women’s rugby has begun being introduced in schools.  

Previously, women could only play rugby at a club and provincial level. But with the introduction of rugby at school, players have a longer time to play competitively and develop their skills.  

There has also been a growth in high-performance programmes and development structures for women. These include U18 programmes, U20 teams, national training camps, and high-performance academies.  

Players who have continuously shown excellence at the provincial level may receive invitations to Springbok Women training camps.  

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The Springbok Women have developed into the dominant rugby force in Africa. This rapid growth can be attributed to stronger player pathways, improved domestic competitions, and regular opportunities to compete against the top teams in the world.  

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

Who are the Springbok Women? 

The Springbok Women are South Africa’s national women’s rugby union team and represent the country in international competitions. 

When was the Springbok Women’s team formed? 

The team played its first official Test match in 2004. 

What tournaments do the Springbok Women play in? 

The Springbok Women compete in the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup, Women’s Rugby World Cup, WXV and international Test matches. 

How do players qualify for the Springbok Women? 

Players usually progress through school rugby, club rugby, provincial competitions and national development pathways before earning Springbok selection. 

Are the Springbok Women professional? 

The Springbok Women operate within an increasingly professional high-performance environment, with many players benefiting from contracts, elite coaching and sports science support.