The Springbok Women's historic first appearance in a Rugby World Cup quarter-final this past September proved to be a monumental television event, signifying the remarkable growth and soaring interest in women's rugby. Data recently released by Nielsen Sports SA, highlighted through SuperSport’s dedicated Rugby World Cup channel as part of its "Here for Her" campaign, confirms this unprecedented rise.

During the tournament, the Springbok Women demonstrated impressive form, securing victories against Brazil and Italy in pool play. This performance paved the way for their first-ever play-off appearance at a Rugby World Cup. In a challenging quarter-final clash against the six-time world champions, New Zealand Black Ferns, Swys de Bruin’s team delivered a powerful statement, holding their opponents level at halftime before the Black Ferns eventually stretched ahead to win 46-17 in the second half.

The four World Cup matches garnered record-breaking viewership, becoming the four most-watched Springbok Women’s games ever. In total, more than 1.27 million unique viewers engaged with the team’s matches in 2025, a staggering 334% increase from 2024. Total consumption numbers soared even higher, reflecting a monumental 673% growth, which unequivocally signals a rising interest and increased investment in the women’s game. A new single-match audience record was also established, with nearly half a million viewers (484,265) tuning in live to watch the quarter-final against the Black Ferns, marking a 135% increase compared to the previous year’s top match audience for the Springbok Women.

Rian Oberholzer, CEO of SA Rugby, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "This audience data is a reflection of the booming interest in women’s rugby as well as testimony to the improvement the Springboks have shown in the past year." He further emphasized the immense potential, adding, "There is the potential for exponential growth in the sport among women and girls over the next few years as these numbers prove."

The Springbok Women had a busy 2025 season, playing 12 matches, including two-match series against World Cup finalists Canada and New Zealand’s Black Ferns XV. They also successfully retained the Africa Cup title in Madagascar, further cementing their growing prowess on the international stage.

Looking ahead, Oberholzer highlighted ongoing developments aimed at fostering continued progress in women’s rugby in South Africa. The first national women’s club championship is currently underway, supported by Betway, alongside the national under-20 provincial championship, crucial initiatives designed to nurture the next generation of Springboks. Furthermore, planning is actively progressing for the launch of an elite, professionalized competition set to commence next year. Oberholzer optimistically concluded that new rugby heroes emerging from the Springbok women’s squad will inspire young girls and women to embrace the game, thereby expanding the participation base and fan community. He confidently declared, "The Springbok Women will bring home the Rugby World Cup one day – it is only a matter of when."