The USA Women’s Eagles have landed in South Africa for a two-Test Tour against the Springbok Women marking the Women's Eagles first time ever playing on South African soil.
The Tests, in Johannesburg's historic Ellis Park Saturday, July 4 and Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria the following weekendwill be part of double headers when the Men’s Springboks host England and Scotland in the Nations Championship.
These two teams last met in London in March 2024, when the USA won 38-17. Head Coach Jack Hanratty and staff have named a squad with some new faces.
Georgie Perris- Redding will lead the Eagles for the first time as the American team will honor the USA’s 250th anniversary from abroad.
“It’s an important time to develop multiple leaders in the build up to 2029/2033 RWCs. 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.” said Hanratty.
Perris-Redding will have plenty of leadership support, as Kate Zackary is back from injury and returns to the squad. The former USA captain could make her 50th USA appearance on the tour.
Zackary's Ealing Trailfinder teammate Alivia Leatherman will join the Eagles after the PWR final. Similarly, Hallie Taufoou will join the Eagles after competing in the French Elite 1 Championship Final for top side Stade Bordelais.
Fve uncapped players have been join the tour with Lauryn Carlton, Elizabeth Cook, and Chloe Hill-Huse looking to bolster the forwards; while in the backline, Alopa Nau and Ashley Cowdrey look to make their debuts.
Cowdrey has played for the USA in 7s.
The naming of Cook is an important one. The former Charlotte Cardinals standout has been playing and studying at Cardiff Met. She did so well there that she was getting overtures from the Bristol Bears in PWR. She also suited uop for the Wales U20s—she has Welsh ancestry.
The pressure has been on, quietly, for the USA to lock Cook down, and the former center/loose forward has now established herself as an excellent prop who a ton of upside.
The Eagles will be without the likes of Erica Jarrell-Searcy, Keia Mae Sagapolu Sanele, and Abigail Paton and this will be a chance for others to push for a spot.
“From day one of this cycle, we have been aiming to have a group of 50 players that can compete at the international level," said Hanratty. "Although we will miss some quality players we have more athletes coming into the Eagles squad for the first time."
Up ahead is a South African team that has improved markedly over the last 15 years or so.
“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," said Hanratty. "To compete in a Test series in South Africa is one of the most challenging place 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+.
