women
international women
Springbok Women prop Xoliswa Khuzwayo has admitted her team doesn’t mind being called “underdogs”.
It’s been a year since then South Africa stunned the world with their run at the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 quarter-finals and established themselves as a team to watch during the current World Cup cycle.
South Africa admitted at the beginning of the year that their goal is not to advance further in the world rugby rankings.
Currently 10th, the side is contested WXV Global Series and began their fall campaign with a loss of Wales in Cardiff, before returning to winning ways with a 41-27 victory Italy Pordenone.
This Sunday they play a Spain side, fresh from third place at WXV Global Series Challenger in Hong Kong, in Seville.
Khuzwayo said: “In the top 10 we are still outsiders but that is something we don’t mind being called. We are fine with that label. We know what we know and where we are going.”
It was two years ago when Khuzwayo made her international debut against Spain in Valladolid.
Two trips around the sun later, the prop represented her country on a Women’s Rugby World Cup and won two African Women’s Rugby Cup titles.
Earlier this summer, the 27-year-old embarked on the Springbok Women’s tour of Fiji.
Regularly competing with Yonel Ngxingolo and Saneliswe Charlie for a spot in the 23, Khuzwayo knows she has her work cut out for selection but will rise to the occasion if she is called up this weekend.
“I’m a much more experienced player than last time, so that will make a difference,” she said.
“Also, it gives you confidence that you’ve been playing at this level for a while, like last time when I started in my first Test.
“The other thing is we’ve grown as a team as well, we’re in the top ten now and we’re competing with the number twos and fives in this world, so you have to deliver when you get the chance.
“We also know that if we work hard in training, the coaches will reward it.”
