The Springbok Women have qualified for the 2025 Rugby World Cup in England, after successfully defending their Rugby Africa Women’s Cup at Stade Makis in Antananarivo, Madagascar, on Sunday.
This after a hard fought 46-17 against the hosts, a win that also ensured that the team qualifies for the WXV 2 tournament, which will be hosted in South Africa in a few months’ time.
The Springbok Women endured an up and down first half, and although they scored five tries before the break, the Malagasy also showed some enterprise on attack and tested the South Africans’ defence.
The Boks’ scrum was probably the most dominant it’s been all tournament and the backline looked very dangerous with ball in hand as they varied the point of attack and were ruthless from turnovers, but the South Africans were guilty of making too many errors, which often cost them momentum and points.
The team’s Captain, Nolusindiso Booi, credited the win to the players, technical team, and administrators.
“We play to inspire the next girl or woman to pick up a rugby ball and I think this win and qualifying for the Rugby World Cup will mean so much to those who want to see the game grow.
“We are on the big stage and belong there, so the next steps are important.
We laid the foundation for the next phase, and it is so exciting to be part of it.
Credit to the players, but so much praise must go to the coaches who prepared us so well for this,” said an elated Booi.
Meanwhile, Head Coach Louis Koen applauded the team for its structured approach in their final match, which also kept their undefeated record.
“I am very proud of their effort today, but also in the first two matches of the tournament.
It is tough playing three matches in 10 days and credit to the players who came out today and executed well.
We really played well in the first half to lay the foundation for the win,” said Koen.
The team is expected to arrive in the country today, and the players will return to their provinces for the Women’s Premier Division.
