Rugby supporters in Gauteng and the Eastern Cape are in for a feast of Test action with the announcement that the Springbok Women will take on Canada in curtain raisers when the Springboks host Italy at Loftus Versfeld and Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on 5 and 12 July.
The Tests against Canada – ranked second in the world – will effectively mean that the opening two weekends of the Castle Lager Incoming Series will feature international double headers in Pretoria and Gqeberha.
SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer said the Tests would not only showcase the growth and status of the Springbok Women, but also women’s rugby in general.
“It is a momentous year for the Springbok Women, as they will try and deliver their best ever result at the Rugby World Cup in England in August, and these two encounters, against one of the best teams in the world, will be a very important part of their preparations,” said Oberholzer.
“The fact that they will share the field with the Springboks will be another bonus for our supporters, especially those in Pretoria and Gqeberha, where the Springbok Women have not played in a while.”
The Springbok Women played Spain at Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg in 2022 as a curtain-raiser to the Springboks’ Castle Lager Rugby Championship clash against New Zealand, and faced the Barbarians at DHL Stadium last year, before the Springboks took on the All Blacks.
Springbok Women performance coach Swys de Bruin said that confirmation of the Canadian Tests was great news.
“We are only ranked 12th in the world and Canada is second. For us to be in the best shape possible for the Rugby World Cup, we need to play the best teams in the world,” said De Bruin.
“We’re greatful that Canada accepted the invitation to tour to South Africa and I want to thank all involved who made this possible. What a wonderful day it will be for rugby fans to watch our women and then the Springboks competiting in test matches.”
Kevin Rouet, head coach of the Canadian women’s team, said: “These matches in South Africa will play an important role in our preparation ahead of the Rugby World Cup. Playing the Springbok Women will give us with two very physical and exciting matches that will give us a good indication as to where we stand in our preparation as we get closer to our first Rugby World Cup match in August. We are greatly looking forward to our time as a squad in Pretoria and Port Elizabeth.”
Following the series against Canada, the Bok Women will also play two matches against a New Zealand Black Ferns XV in South Africa, with dates and venues to be confirmed in due course, along with information on kick-off times and ticket sales.