The Springbok Women scored five tries but went down 40-27 to Ireland in the first of two WXV Global Series Tests, with Yonela Ngxingolo earning her 50th Test cap, at the Athlone Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday, 24 October 2026.
Ireland led 21-17 at half-time and outscored the hosts by six tries to five in front of a crowd of 3709.
Co-head coach Franzel September said the defeat was largely due to soft moments, and believes the side can turn the tables when the teams meet again at the same venue next Saturday.
“We did a lot of good things today but ultimately made some unforced errors which allowed Ireland to capitalise, regroup and turn the momentum around.”
Springbok Women Co-Head Coach, Franzel September
“We had a number of opportunities in their red zone and then spilled it. That is not us. We had two mauls stopped five metres from their line. That is not us. We can fix that though, so that is why I believe we can turn this around next weekend.”
Playing with a stiff breeze at their backs, Ireland opened the scoring in the eighth minute through Aoife Dalton, before Aseza Hele replied with a superb try from 30m out on the left.
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With Ireland captain Erin King yellow-carded in the 24th minute, Vainah Ubisi crashed over after a patient build-up and Jakkie Cilliers converted to put South Africa 12-7 ahead.
The lead changed hands three more times before the break. Linda Djougang scored for Ireland, Maria Tshiremba replied in the left corner, and Jane Clohessy crossed after the half-time hooter, with Dannah O’Brien’s flawless goal-kicking giving the visitors a 21-17 lead.
Béibhinn Parsons stretched Ireland’s lead to 26-17 two minutes into the second half. A new Bok Women front row came on in the 49th minute, bringing Ngxingolo her 50th Test cap, but King’s converted try in the 52nd minute made it 33-17.
Lerato Makua crashed over with Eve Higgins in the sin-bin to give the Bok Women hope with 12 minutes left, but Djougang’s second try in the 74th minute all but sealed the result, before Alichia Arries scored a late try for the hosts.
Co-head coach Laurian Johannes-Haupt agreed that Ireland were a bit more clinical on the day. “They outplayed us at times, but we can fix what happened,” said Johannes-Haupt.
Vice-captain Unam Tose said they let down the boisterous crowd that came to support the team, as well as those who look to the team for inspiration.
“We know who we play for and what we play for,” said Tose.
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“Today we disappointed a lot of people by not getting a result that we are capable of. We do want to inspire others, especially young girls to take up the game, but then we must make them proud. That is why today’s result was so disappointing.”
The second Test kicks off at 15h00 on Saturday, 31 October 2026 at the Athlone Stadium, with tickets available at Ticketmaster.
The Springbok Women vs. Ireland WXV Global Series
Sat 24 Oct, 15h00: Springbok Women 27-40 Ireland
Sat 31 Oct, 15h00: Springbok Women vs. Ireland at the Athlone Stadium
Scorers in the First Test at the Athlone Stadium on Saturday 24 October 2026
Springbok Women 27 (17) Tries: Aseza Hele, Vainah Ubisi, Maria Tshiremba, Lerato Makua, Alichia Arries
Conversion: Jakkie Cilliers
Ireland 40 (21) Tries: Aoife Dalton, Linda Djougang (2), Jane Clohessy, Beibhinn Parsons, Erin King
Conversions: Dannah O’Brien (5)
The Springbok Women Starting VX vs Ireland in Cape Town
15 Jakkie Cilliers
14 Alichia Arries
13 Maceala Samboya
12 Shiniqwa Lamprecht
11 Maria Tshiremba
10 Byrhandré Dolf
9 Unam Tose (vice-captain)
8 Aseza Hele
7 Lerato Makua
6 Sizophila Solontsi (captain)
5 Catha Jacobs
4 Vainah Ubisi
3 Xoliswa Khuzwayo
2 Anushka Groenewald
1 Sanelisiwe Charlie
Replacements
16 Lindelwa Gwala
17 Yonela Ngxingolo
18 Thandile Mazwi
19 Danelle Lochner
20 Logan Welman
21 Aphiwe Ngwevu
22 Anacadia Minnaar
23 Mary Zulu
Ireland Starting XC vs South Africa
15 Stacey Flood
14 Béibhinn Parsons
13 Anna McGann
12 Aoife Dalton
11 Robyn O’Connor
10 Dannah O’Brien
9 Emily Lane
8 Brittany Hogan
7 Erin King (captain)
6 Fiona Tuite-O’Sullivan
5 Dorothy Wall
4 Jane Clohessy
3 Eilís Cahill
2 Neve Jones
1 Linda Djougang
Replacements
16 Beth Buttimer
17 Niamh O’Dowd
18 Sadhbh McGrath
19 Kate Jordan
20 Grace Moore
21 Jemima Adams Verling
22 Aoibheann Reilly
23 Eve Higgins
Original Copy: SA Rugby Communications, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: Five tries from Aseza Hele (pictured), Vainah Ubisi, Maria Tshiremba, Lerato Makua and Alichia Arries were not enough for the Springbok Women, who went down 40-27 to Ireland in the first of two WXV Global Series Tests, with Yonela Ngxingolo earning her 50th Test cap, at the Athlone Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday, 24 October 2026. Photo: SA Rugby / Gallo Images
Photo 2 Caption: Hope returned for the Springbok Women when Lerato Makua crashed over against Ireland with 12 minutes left, with Ireland’s Eve Higgins in the sin-bin.
