Record ninth in the world: Springbok Women climb to highest-ever ranking ahead of Ireland rematch

World Rugby confirmed on Monday, 26 October 2026, that South Africa's Springbok Women have climbed to ninth in the world rankings, the highest position the team has ever held. The news was greeted not with noisy celebration but with a quiet moment of pride at the squad's training base in Cape Town, where the players were already turning their attention to the final Test of a landmark year.

The rise completes a remarkable twelve months for the Springbok Women. A year after first breaking into the world's top ten, they have now gone one step further, and they have done it on the back of a 2026 campaign that has produced eight wins from twelve Tests. One Test remains, and it is a big one: a rematch against Ireland, the fifth-ranked side who beat them 40-27 at Athlone Stadium on Saturday, 24 October.

That first Test was a reminder of both how far South Africa have come and how much work remains. The Springbok Women scored five tries, through Aseza Hele, Vainah Ubisi, Maria Tshiremba, Lerato Makua and Alichia Arries, and led at several stages of a pulsating first half before Ireland took a 21-17 advantage into the break. Ireland's composure and kicking game then told after half-time, as the visitors pulled away to a 40-27 win in front of a loud and supportive Athlone crowd.

Yet the moment that will live longest from Saturday had nothing to do with the scoreline. In the 79th minute, winger Alichia Arries chased a cross-kick from Mary Zulu, gathered the ball and dotted down in the corner for South Africa's fifth try. It was her sixth try in her thirteenth Test, and it came in front of her four-year-old daughter, Tatum, and the rest of her family, who were watching her play for the Springbok Women in person for the first time.

Arries' moment at Athlone

That was pretty special, Arries said afterwards. It was also the first time I played for the Springbok Women in front of her, so it was really great finishing off the good work on the inside from our team. We identified that open space as the match progressed, and when the ball was kicked in my direction, I just had to get hold of it and get it over the line.

Arries, 24, has been one of the constants of South Africa's year, playing in eleven of the twelve Tests in 2026 after fighting her way back into the international side. Her long-range try against the United States at Loftus Versfeld earlier in the season drew praise around the world, but she said scoring in front of her daughter at Athlone was unmatched. There is something about playing at Athlone, she said. The crowds are just amazing and so, so supportive of the Springbok Women.

The review of Saturday's defeat has been honest. Arries admitted South Africa were poor at times, with handling errors and missed first-time tackles at crucial moments, while Ireland's kicking game repeatedly left the hosts scrambling. That was last weekend, she said. Come Saturday, we promise a better showing. Co-head coaches Franzel September and Laurian Johannes-Haupt will name the matchday 23 on Thursday, after a week spent working on the defensive accuracy and composure that slipped away in the second half at Athlone.

A rematch to finish the year

Saturday's rematch, again at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town, is therefore about more than revenge. It is the chance to finish a record-breaking year with a win over a top-five side, in front of the supporters who have carried the team through this campaign, and to show that the ninth-place ranking is a platform rather than a peak. We are determined to dish up a proper performance this weekend, Arries said, and the team wants to redeem ourselves by overturning the result against Ireland.

Whatever happens on Saturday, the ranking itself already tells the story of 2026. From a first-ever place in the top ten to a record ninth, from eight wins in twelve Tests to a winger scoring in front of her daughter, the Springbok Women have turned a good year into a historic one. One more performance, in front of their own crowd, would be the perfect way to finish it. With my daughter and the rest of the family amongst all those amazing supporters that come to Athlone Stadium, Arries said, we hope to finish the year on the best possible note.