The Springbok Women may not have lifted the trophy in England, but they left the Rugby World Cup with something far more powerful than silverware: respect, pride, and a blueprint for the future.
Under the steady hand of head coach Swys de Bruin and the passionate drive of assistant coach Laurian Johannes-Haupt, the Boks produced a ground-breaking campaign that proved they are no longer bystanders at rugby’s grandest table, but fierce competitors capable of shaking the posts of giants.
Johannes-Haupt, reflecting on her first year as a full-time coach, was brimming with pride at how her charges tackled the tournament.
Laurian Johannes-Haupt Photo: Facebook
“What a journey it’s been with the Springbok Women this season! My first year as a full-time coach at RWC England 2025, thank you!” she said.
“I am beyond proud of these incredible athletes for their hard work, dedication, and resilience. To see them step onto the world stage with so much heart has been nothing short of inspiring.”
Her words echoed the team’s performance: brave, unrelenting, and filled with fire. Each scrum became a battle cry, each tackle a statement of intent, and each try a glimpse of the potential within South African women’s rugby.
Johannes-Haupt extended her gratitude beyond the white lines of the pitch:
“Thank you to the players for giving it your all, to the management for their unwavering support.
“Family, we are nothing without you, and to the fans for the love and belief. This team is a true reflection of what can be achieved with passion, teamwork, and determination.
“My heart overflows with gratitude. Proud to be part of such an extraordinary group of people! Onward and upward, ladies…the best is yet to come!”
Like a side that has just forced its way out of its own 22 with a string of bone-crunching phases, the Springbok Women showed that their game is built on resilience, patience, and vision.
They may not yet be breaking the tape at full stride, but their World Cup campaign was a clear marker: South African women’s rugby has found its footing on the world stage.
For a team once dismissed as underdogs, the Springbok Women left England with their heads held high, their jerseys soaked with effort and pride.
Springbok Women’s Squad Photo: Facebook
They may not yet be champions of the world, but they are pioneers, carving out a future where green and gold will not just compete, but contend.
The best, as Johannes-Haupt reminds us, is still to come.
