eagles.rugby — The USA Women’s National Team (WNT) has landed in South Africa for a two-test tour against the Springbok Women, marking the Women’s Eagles first time playing on South African soil. The teams last met in London in March 2024, and the USA won that game 38-17. [Photo: Griff Hastings]

The opening test match occurs Saturday, July 4 inside Johannesburg’s historic Ellis Park, and the rematch occurs Saturday, July 11 in Pretoria’s Loftus Versfeld. Both games are part of doubleheaders featuring the Springbok Men against England and then Scotland as part of the Nations Championship.

USA WNT head coach Jack Hanratty and staff have named a dynamic, fresh squad expected to showcase the new USA style and energy that fans witnessed during the springtime Pacific Four Series. Stepping into captaincy duties for the first time in the USA jersey, Georgie Perris-Redding will lead the Eagles on their 4th of July fixture.

“It’s an important time to develop multiple leaders in the build up to 2029/2033 [Rugby World Cups],” Hanratty commented. “Although Georgie might be taking over the official captaincy for the first time, she has been a leader for the Eagles for many years and I know she will lead from the front.”

Perris-Redding will be in strong company, as Kate Zackary returns to the squad after recovering from injury to earn her 50th USA cap. Zackary, alongside Ealing Trailfinder teammate Alivia Leatherman, will join up with the Eagles early next week after the conclusion of the Premier Women’s Rugby Final against Saracens. Similarly, Hallie Taufoou will join the Eagles after competing in the French Elite 1 Championship Final for Stade Bordelais.

“Welcoming back a player like Kate is a great addition to the squad,” Hanratty added. “And we will forgive both her and Alivia for arriving a little late to compete in the PWR final.”

Five uncapped players have joined the tour. Lauryn Carlton, Elizabeth Cook and Chloe Hill-Huse bolster the forward pack; while Alopa Nau and Ashley Cowdrey look to make their USA 15s debut in the back line. The team will be missing PAC4 standouts Erica Jarrell-Searcy, Keia Mae Sagapolu Sanele and Abigail Paton, but Hanratty is relishing the opportunity to work with new personnel and dynamics.

“From day one of this cycle, we have been aiming to have a group of 50 players that can compete at the international level,” he said. “Although we will miss some quality players we have more athletes coming into the Eagles squad for the first time.”

The USA is 7th on the World Rugby rankings, having moved up the list this spring after beating Australia on the PAC4 circuit.

“South Africa Women’s Rugby is one of the most talked about teams in World Rugby with their performances in the recent Rugby World Cup and their clear desire to become a top nation,” Hanratty said. “To compete in a test series in South Africa is one of the most challenging places to go, and we want to hold ourselves to a high standard and raise our game from our PAC4 experiences.

USA fans can catch the action live on Paramount+ as they follow the Eagles’ journey this season. When they return stateside, the Eagles will ready for a three-test series in October against Italy (twice) and England in Texas (Oct. 17), Tennessee (Oct. 24) and New Jersey (Oct. 31). Tickets are available at https://go.usa.rugby/wxv-usa-series-presale.

2026 South Africa Tour Roster

FORWARDS
Emerson Allen – Leicester Tigers
Kapoina Bailey – Denver Onyx
Lauryn Carlton* – Boston Banshees
Elizabeth Cook* – Cardiff Met University
Rachel Ehrecke – Loughborough Lightning
Tessa Hann – USA 7s
Chloe Hill-Huse* – Sunnybank Union Club
Hann Humphreys – USA 7s
Alivia Leatherman – Ealing Trailfinders
Georgie Perris-Redding – Sale Sharks
Hope Rogers – Exeter Chiefs
Paige Stathopoulos – Loughborough Lightning
Freda Tafuna – Lindenwood University
Hallie Taufoou – Stade Bordelais Women
Kathryn Treder – Loughborough Lightning
Olivia Woods – Sacred Heart University
Reece Woods – Sacred Heart University
Kate Zackary – Ealing Trailfinders

BACKS
Cass Bargell – Denver Onyx / USA 7s
Kristin Bitter – Leicester Tigers
Ashley Cowdrey* – USA 7s
Emily Henrich – Leicester Tigers
Katana Howard – Sale Sharks
Alev Kelter – Loughborough Lightning
Bulou Mataitoga – Loughborough Lightning
Alopa Nau* – Davenport University
Olivia Ortiz – Sale Sharks
Taina Tukuafu – Bay Area Breakers
Telesi Uhatafe – Southern Nazarene University
Bella Vogel – Life University

*Denotes new cap

Unavailable for tour:
Erica Coulibaly
Sariah Ibarra
Erica Jarrell-Searcy
Abigail Paton
Keia Mae Sagapolu Sanele
Lotte Sharpe

South Africa Tour Schedule

SAT July 4: USA vs. South Africa
7:30 am ET | Ellis Park, Johannesburg

SAT July 11: USA vs. South Africa
7:30 am ET | Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria

South Africa Tour Coaches & Staff

Jack Hanratty | Head Coach
Sarah Chobot | Assistant Coach
Lou Meadows | Assistant Coach
Jon Humphreys | Assistant Coach
Michael Deasy | Head of Athletic Performance
Sam Malette | Lead Athletic Trainer
Mia Pelton | Athletic Trainer
Abigail Hamilton | Team Physician
Hannah Reid | Team Manager
Rudy Betancourt | Videographer