Bok winger Alichia Arries is determined to turn the tables on Ireland is Saturday's rematch at Athlone Stadium.

Image: @WomenBoks on X

Fresh off reaching a historic high in the World Rugby rankings, the Springbok Women have turned a weekend of personal and team milestones into fuel for Saturday’s rematch against Ireland at Athlone Stadium.

World Rugby confirmed on Monday that South Africa has climbed to ninth place – the team’s highest-ever global ranking – capping a 2026 campaign that has yielded eight victories from 12 Tests. While the achievement sparked quiet celebration at their Cape Town training base, the mood in camp remains firmly fixed on settling scores after their 40-27 defeat to the fifth-ranked Irish.

For 24-year-old winger Alichia Arries, Saturday’s five-try encounter produced an indelible memory despite the final scoreline. In the 79th minute, Arries tracked a pinpoint cross-kick from Mary Zulu to dot down in the corner – scoring her sixth Test try right in front of her 4-year-old daughter, Tatum, and her family. 

“That was pretty special. It was also the first time I played for the Springbok Women in front of her, so it was really great finishing off the good work on the inside from our team,” said Arries. “We identified that open space as the match progressed, and when the ball was kicked in my direction, I just had to get hold of it and get it over the line.”

The Western Province star has been a cornerstone of South Africa’s backline this year, featuring in 11 of their 12 Tests after mounting a determined return to the international arena. While her long-range try against the USA at Loftus Versfeld earlier this season drew global praise, crossing the whitewash in front of her daughter at Athlone proved unmatched.

“There is something about playing at Athlone. The crowds are just amazing and so, so supportive of the Springbok Women,” Arries noted. “That is one of the reasons why all of us want to go out there this weekend and redeem ourselves by overturning the result against Ireland. We can only hope and ask that they come out again. We are determined to dish up a proper performance.”

The squad spent Monday conducting thorough post-match reviews, dissecting the execution errors that allowed Ireland to slip away in the second half.

“We were poor at times; our handling let us down and even first-time tackling was not great at crucial times,” Arries admitted. “Ireland also had a very good kicking game that left us scrambling a bit at times. But that was last weekend. Come Saturday, we promise a better showing.”

With Ireland’s tactical kicking and phase play firmly in the crosshairs, co-head coaches Franzel September and Laurian Johannes-Haupt will finalise their tactical adjustments before naming the matchday 23 on Thursday.

“Every team we play against has something different, and now that we have played Ireland, I believe we can adapt for the second Test,” Arries said. “With my daughter and the rest of the family amongst all those amazing supporters that come to Athlone Stadium, we hope to finish the year on the best possible note.”