# From safari to Springboks – King ready for history

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/from-safari-to-springboks-king-ready-for-history/
- Published: 2026-10-22T19:07:45+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-22T19:23:26+00:00
- Original publisher: BBC Sport (publisher lean: Centre)
- Original article: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/cv5ynlj2ljppo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
- Topics: Africa, Sport, World

## Key points

- Ireland’s women will play their first Tests in South Africa.
- Erin King will captain the team in Cape Town.
- Neve Jones is set to earn her 50th cap.

## Summary

Ireland’s women will play their first Tests on South African soil, giving captain Erin King the chance to lead the team in a historic series. The two matches against the Springboks are part of the WXV Global Series, and Ireland are aiming to win both.

The first Test is in Cape Town on Saturday at 14:00 BST, three days after King’s 23rd birthday. Ireland have beaten Japan twice after opening the WXV with a loss to the USA; South Africa have beaten Spain and Italy but lost heavily to Wales. Hooker Neve Jones is set to earn her 50th cap, while King will win her 16th, having switched from Sevens to 15-a-side rugby in 2024.

---
Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.