Springbok Women v Ireland: team, kick-off and tickets for Athlone
The Springbok Women play Ireland at Athlone Stadium, Cape Town, at 15:00 on Saturday, 31 October 2026, in their last Test of the year. Here is the team, the changes after last week's 40-27 loss, and how to get tickets.
The Springbok Women face Ireland at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday, 31 October 2026, with kick-off at 15:00, in their final Test of the year (SA Rugby; SuperSport). Co-coaches Laurian Johannes-Haupt and Franzel September have made several changes after last Saturday's 40-27 defeat to Ireland at the same ground, and prop Sanelisiwe Charlie is out injured (SA Rugby; SABC Sport).
When and where is the match?
| Detail | Information | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Match | Springbok Women v Ireland, second WXV Global Series Test | SA Rugby |
| Date | Saturday, 31 October 2026 | SuperSport |
| Kick-off | 15:00 SAST | SuperSport |
| Venue | Athlone Stadium, Cape Town | SuperSport |
| Referee | Jess Ling (Australia) | SuperSport |
| TMO | Matteo Liperini | SuperSport |
How do I get tickets?
Tickets are sold only through Ticketmaster, per match, from R50 a person or R150 for a package of four (SuperSport).
Where can I watch it on TV?
SA Rugby's match announcements we checked do not name a South African TV broadcaster. Check the SuperSport and SABC Sport TV guides closer to kick-off, or follow @WomenBoks on X for updates.
What changed in the Springbok Women team?
Charlie injured her knee at training this week, so Yonela Ngxingolo, who earned her 50th cap off the bench last weekend, starts at loosehead prop, with Anuschka Ekron on the bench (Rugby365; SA Women's Rugby on X). Mary Zulu starts at flyhalf, Byrhandré Dolf moves to fullback, Jakkie Cilliers shifts to the right wing and Alichia Arries to the left wing (Rugby365).
Up front, Lindelwa Gwala starts at hooker, Danelle Lochner partners Vainah Ubisi at lock and Catha Jacobs moves from lock to flank (Rugby365). Johannes-Haupt said Charlie's injury was the only forced change and the rest was planned rotation (Rugby365).
| No. | Player | No. | Player |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | Byrhandré Dolf | 7 | Catha Jacobs |
| 14 | Jakkie Cilliers | 6 | Sizophila Solontsi (captain) |
| 13 | Maceala Samboya | 5 | Danelle Lochner |
| 12 | Shiniqwa Lamprecht | 4 | Vainah Ubisi |
| 11 | Alichia Arries | 3 | Xoliswa Khuzwayo |
| 10 | Mary Zulu | 2 | Lindelwa Gwala |
| 9 | Unam Tose | 1 | Yonela Ngxingolo |
| 8 | Aseza Hele |
Replacements: 16 Anushka Groenewald, 17 Anuschka Ekron, 18 Thandile Mazwi, 19 Nomsa Mokwai, 20 Aphiwe Ngwevu, 21 Lerato Makua, 22 Insaaf Levy, 23 Maria Tshiremba (Rugby365).
What happened in the first Test?
Ireland won 40-27 at Athlone on 24 October, scoring seven tries to five in front of 3 709 fans. Aseza Hele, Vainah Ubisi, Maria Tshiremba, Lerato Makua and Alichia Arries scored the Springbok Women's tries (SABC Sport). Ireland are ranked fifth in the world, and the two sides had met only once before, at the 2006 Women's Rugby World Cup (SuperSport).
"We are not going to Athlone to lose on Saturday," Johannes-Haupt said (Rugby365).
FAQ
What time does the Springbok Women v Ireland Test start?
Kick-off is at 15:00 SAST on Saturday, 31 October 2026, at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town.
How much are tickets for Springbok Women v Ireland?
Tickets cost from R50 a person or R150 for four, and are sold only through Ticketmaster.
Who is captain of the Springbok Women against Ireland?
Flanker Sizophila Solontsi captains the side.