From safari to Springboks – King ready for history
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.
In short
- 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.
Explained simply
The Springboks are South Africa’s national rugby union teams, and Ireland and South Africa have met in women’s Tests before. This series is part of the WXV Global Series, an international competition involving women’s teams playing 15-a-side rugby.
Erin King is Ireland’s captain; she moved from the faster, shorter Sevens format to the 15-a-side game in 2024. A cap is an appearance for a national team, so Neve Jones reaching 50 would mark a significant milestone in her international career.
The matches matter as Ireland seek to build on recent wins against Japan and test themselves against South Africa. For both teams, the series offers competitive international rugby and a chance to assess their form against opponents from another country.