Bok Women to tackle Canada

The Springbok Women will take on Canada in curtain-raisers when the Springboks host Italy at Loftus Versfeld and Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on 5 and 12 July.

The Tests against Canada – ranked second in the world – will effectively mean the opening two weekends will feature international double-headers in Pretoria and Gqeberha.

SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer said the Tests would not only showcase the growth and status of the Springbok Women, but also women’s rugby in general.

“It is a momentous year for the Springbok Women, as they will try and deliver their best ever result at the Rugby World Cup in England in August and these two encounters, against one of the best teams in the world, will be a very important part of their preparations,” he said.

“The fact that they will share the field with the Springboks, will be another bonus for our supporters, especially those in Pretoria and Gqeberha, where the Springbok Women have not played in a while.”

The Springbok Women played Spain at Ellis Park in 2022 as a curtain-raiser to the Springboks’ Rugby Championship clash against New Zealand, and faced the Barbarians at Cape Town Stadium last year, before the Boks took on the All Blacks.

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Springbok Women performance coach Swys de Bruin said that confirmation of the Canadian Tests was great news.

“We are only ranked 12th in the world and Canada are second, and for us to be in the best shape possible for the Rugby World Cup, we need to play the best teams in the world,” said De Bruin.

“We’re grateful that Canada accepted the invitation to tour to South Africa and I want to thank all involved who made this possible. What a wonderful day it will be for rugby fans to watch our women and then the Springboks competing in Test matches.”

Following the series against Canada, the Bok Women will play two matches against a New Zealand Black Ferns XV in South Africa, with dates and venues to be confirmed.

Photo: Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images