The Springbok Women have been grouped with France, Italy and Brazil in Pool D for the next year’s Rugby World Cup in England after the draw in London on Thursday.
The 12-ranked South Africans are the third highest ranked team in the group, with France (fourth) and Italy (eighth) ranked above them. Brazil are ranked 42nd.
The Springbok Women faced France in the previous World Cup in New Zealand, while they narrowly lost to Italy last weekend in their final match of the WXV 2 in Cape Town. However, they haven’t faced Brazil in a Test match.
It is likely to be a shootout between the Women’s Boks and Italy for a spot in the quarter-finals. The ever-improving South Africans will certainly back themselves after the favourable draw.
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Springbok Women coach Swys de Bruin on the roadmap for the ladies heading into next year's Rugby World Cup 🇿![CDATA[]]>🇦![CDATA[]]>🛣️#HereForHer | #WXV2 pic.twitter.com/8gSgICkFju
Springbok Women performance coach Swys de Bruin said the draw was yet another step closer to the actual tournament to be played across eight cities from August 22 to September 27, 2025.
“The puzzle is getting closer and closer to completion and the only thing remaining is the announcement next Tuesday of the playing schedule and team venues,” said De Bruyn.
“That means that we can start to focus and prepare with a clear picture in mind and that is always an exciting part of any campaign.”
Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 Managing Director, Sarah Massey, said: “With anticipation building amongst fans and teams for next year’s showpiece event, today marks an important step forward to what will be an unmissable tournament.
“Next week will see the tournament celebrate another exciting milestone, as we unveil the match schedule, allowing fans, host locations and teams to start preparing their Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 experience in earnest.”
The pools for the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup are:
Pool A: England, Australia, USA, Samoa
Pool B: Canada, Scotland, Wales, Fiji
Pool C: New Zealand, Ireland, Japan, Spain
Pool D: France, Italy, South Africa, Brazil
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