The performance of the Springbok Women\u2019s team at the Rugby World Cup \u2013 at which they reached the quarter-finals for the first time \u2013 was a major highlight, but Mr Alexander was especially proud of the broadening and deepening of the female playing base.<\/p>\n
Other notable firsts achieved during the year were:<\/p>\n
The first U16 Elite Player Development (EPD) camp for girls was held.
\nThe first national championship for women\u2019s clubs, sponsored by Betway took place.
\nThe most teams yet played in the U20 Women\u2019s Week.
\nThe Springbok Women\u2019s team had the full suite of sponsors on kit for the first time.
\nAnd SA Rugby also announced plans to launch an elite, fully professionalised women\u2019s competition in 2026.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur Springbok Women definitely set the tone with their performances this year,\u201d said Mr Alexander. \u201cBut from the Women\u2019s Premier Division early in the season to the trio of landmark events last week, 2025 has truly been a phenomenal year for women\u2019s rugby in South Africa.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo see our best U16 girls gather for a high-performance camp for the first time, while the top U20s and club players competed simultaneously, underlined the depth and momentum building in the women\u2019s game.<\/p>\n
\u201cWomen\u2019s rugby is a strategic priority for SA Rugby and what we\u2019ve witnessed this year \u2013 alongside the Bok Women breaking broadcast records<\/a> \u2013 confirms we are on the right path.\u201d<\/p>\n Mr Alexander extended his gratitude to all those working behind the scenes and acknowledged the vital role of SA Rugby\u2019s partners: \u201cWe cannot do this alone. I doff my cap to dedicated partners such as FNB, Betway, Pick n Pay, Coca-Cola and many others for the way they have embraced the women\u2019s game.\u201d<\/p>\n The triumvirate of women\u2019s events taking place simultaneously this month were the first U16 Elite Player Development (EPD) camp for girls, which ran concurrently with a similar gathering for boys in Paarl, SA Rugby also hosted the inaugural Betway Women\u2019s Club Championship and the U20 Women\u2019s Week in Johannesburg.<\/p>\n This followed hot on the heels of the Springbok Women\u2019s best performance at a Rugby World Cup<\/a> when they reached the quarter-finals at the tournament hosted in England last month.<\/p>\n The EPD squad for girls<\/a> was announced following a comprehensive talent identification process during the FNB Girls Week for U16s in Johannesburg. The 50 players were taken through their paces by former SA Schools head coaches Sean Erasmus and Katlego Lynch at La Rochelle Girls’ High School.<\/p>\n At the Betway Women\u2019s Club Championship held in Alberton, Eastern Province side Kwaru made history<\/a> by winning the Premier Division Final, beating Walker Bay Babes 17-14 to bring the curtain down on a wonderful week for women\u2019s rugby.<\/p>\n