Canada will play two test matches against the Springbok women in South Africa in July as part of its preparations for the Rugby World Cup.
The matches will take place July 5 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria and July 12 at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha. Both matches will see the women play ahead of men’s tests between the top-ranked Springboks and No. 10 Italy.
Canada is ranked second in the world, compared to No. 12 for South Africa.
“These matches in South Africa will play an important role in our preparation ahead of the Rugby World Cup,” Canada coach Kevin Rouet said in a statement. “Playing the Springbok women will give us two very physical and exciting matches that will give us a good indication as to where we stand in our preparation as we get closer to our first Rugby World Cup match in August.”
Canada has won all four previous meetings with South Africa, outscoring the Springbok women 206-56. Most recently, the Canadians won 66-7 in Spain ahead of the 2023 Pacific Four Series.
The teams have never met in South Africa.
The Canadian women kick off the 2025 season next month in Kansas City where they open defence of their Pacific Four Series title against the eighth-ranked U.S. on May 2 before continuing tournament play May 16 in Christchurch against No. 3 New Zealand and May 22 in Brisbane against No. 6 Australia.
Canada opens World Cup play in England against No. 16 Fiji on Aug. 23 before facing No. 10 Wales on Aug. 30 and No. 7 Scotland on Sept. 6.
The Canadians have won five of their last six matches and eight of the last 12, with the only losses coming at the hands of top-ranked England. Canada is coming off a 21-12 loss to the Red Roses in the deciding match of the WXV 1 tournament in October in Vancouver.
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This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 2, 2025
Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press
