More Than a Moment: How the Springbok Women Rewrote Their Story and Aren’t Finished Yet

For years, they were the team that knocked. The team that fought hard but often fell just short, their efforts a whisper in the much louder roar of the local sports scene. But on a field in York, something shifted. The whisper became a roar heard all the way back home.

The Springbok Women’s 29-12 victory over Italy was more than just a win; it was a national milestone. It secured their first-ever Rugby World Cup quarter-final berth and catapulted them into the world’s top ten rankings. At the final whistle, the emotion was raw. Flyhalf Libbie Janse van Rensburg found captain Nolusindiso Booi, and in a tearful embrace, the words said it all: “We did this, we did this.”

It was a moment of pure, unadulterated relief and pride, a payoff for years of unseen struggle. But if you think this team is content to bask in that single glorious achievement, you haven’t been paying attention.

The Hunger for What’s Next

The buzz on social media has been electric. #BokWomen started trending as South Africans, perhaps for the first time, truly saw the grit and grace of this squad. Messages of support poured in, not just from rugby die-hards, but from a wider public finally let in on the secret this team has known all along: they belong on this stage.

But in their camp, the celebration has a short shelf life. Speaking with the clarity of a true playmaker, Janse van Rensburg confirmed what their next opponent, France, already suspects.

“Yes, we are still feeling very good about ourselves,” she said, “but suddenly there is that added feeling of us going even further. We desperately wanted to make it into the top eight and now that we have, we want more. That game against Italy was not our final act. We are not done yet.”

From Eye-Opener to Belief

This newfound confidence isn’t blind optimism. It’s forged from experience. Earlier in the season, during a European tour, they trained with the French team. Where some might see intimidation, the Boks saw opportunity. That session was a revelation.

“We realised we were not far off during that session,” Janse van Rensburg recalled. “It’s amazing how things changed around so suddenly for us. We were always knocking, and now the door has been opened.”

That open door has led to a new conversation within the team. The talk is no longer about just qualifying; it’s about winning. About moving past the last eight and into the semi-finals. “And I honestly don’t think it is a pipe dream,” she added, her conviction palpable.

The Foundation of a Happy Camp

The difference between this World Cup and tournaments past isn’t just skill; it’s culture. Janse van Rensburg points to a difficult, inexperienced campaign in the past that was hampered by a poor environment. This time, everything is different.

“This time we all know what we can do, we believe in each other and our coaches and management really created a positive environment for us,” she explained. “The players also get along well, and it all delivers a happy camp. To add to that, the support from sponsors and the public alike has been amazing. We really feel like we belong.”

It’s a powerful statement. To feel you belong can be the most potent fuel for an athlete. It transforms pressure into purpose.

As the team prepares to name its lineup for the France clash, the entire nation now watches, invested. They are no longer just participants; they are pioneers who have already made history and are hungry to add another chapter. The message from the Bok Women is clear: this isn’t an end. It’s a powerful new beginning.