The Springbok Women are ready to write a new chapter in South African rugby as they prepare for a first-ever World Cup quarter-final.
It has been a remarkable journey for a team that vanished from the international stage between 2014 and 2017, only to return stronger and steadily rise in profile.
Their breakthrough came in a gritty 29-24 win over Italy in the pool stage, a result that secured their place in the knockouts for the first time.
They face a real test of their readiness in Sunday’s final pool clash against France before taking on New Zealand or Ireland in the last eight.
“We are sitting on a goldmine that can explode if we’re really serious about it,” reflected former coach Stanley Raubenheimer, who oversaw the team’s revival from 2018 to 2022.
Much of the turnaround stems from 2019, when then-director of rugby Rassie Erasmus prioritised the women’s game. Since then, the player pool has nearly doubled, and the Bulls Daisies became South Africa’s first professional women’s franchise in 2023.
Current coach Swys de Bruin has confirmed that more professional sides are on the way.
The progress is showing on the field. A 66-6 demolition of Brazil opened their World Cup campaign in style – their first pool-stage victory since 2010 – before the Italian scalp sealed their quarter-final spot.
Prop Yonela Ngxingolo believes this World Cup run could shift perceptions of the women’s game at home.
“Definitely, because even the numbers have grown right now in terms of exposure and people seeing us. There are more girls out there that are going to be inspired.”
Emotions aside, the #BokWomen believe they can go even further at #RWC2025, according to Libbie Janse van Rensburg – more here: https://t.co/CbxtNlkuiI
#PlusOne
Catch the #BokWomen live on @SuperSportTV pic.twitter.com/WxXPjOWrKf
— SA Women’s Rugby (@WomenBoks) September 2, 2025
Forwards coach Franzel September says the team’s identity is built on physical dominance, echoing the men’s side.
“We pride ourselves on our physicality. We know we can bully you up front. That’s in our DNA.”
Few embody that power better than loose forward Aseza Hele, a barnstorming ball-carrier who has become the face of the team’s uncompromising style.
With history already made, the Bok Women now turn their focus to France – knowing a win would catapult them into uncharted territory and give women’s rugby in South Africa another powerful push forward.
Photo: Stu Forster/Getty Images
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