Springbok Women's assistant coach Laurian Johannes-Haupt feels the three Tests in the Africa Cup 'will allow us to introduce new players to the rigours of Test rugby, while also rewarding those who excelled inpathways back home'.
Injuries to several established stars may have disrupted preparations for both the Springbok Women's team and the Springbok Women's Sevens squads. But the setbacks have also created a highly valuable opportunity for South Africa’s next generation of players to announce themselves on the international stage.
That opportunity begins in earnest this weekend in Nairobi, where the Springbok Women launch the defence of their Rugby Africa Women’s Cup title against Madagascar at the RFUEA Grounds. While South Africa remain overwhelming favourites against the Malagasy side, assistant coach Laurian Johannes-Haupt made it clear the tournament is about far more than simply retaining continental silverware.
With 12 Test matches scheduled for the 2026 calendar year, the management team is using the competition to expose emerging talent to international rugby while building crucial squad depth ahead of a demanding season. That developmental approach is reflected in a matchday squad featuring six uncapped players, including Western Province number eight Logan Welman, who will make her Test debut in the starting lineup.
