On Sunday, October 4, 2026, Seville will host its first women's international rugby match, as Spain's Las Leonas meet South Africa's Springboks at noon. The fixture is scheduled for Estadio Olímpico de la Cartuja as part of the WXV Global Series weekend, information from World Rugby.
For Spanish captain Lourdes Alameda, the match will also mark her 50th international cap. Only six other Spanish players have reached that basic stage. Alameda leads a full-strength squad under coach Regis Sonnes, with the team looking to make a statement in front of home fans.
The official pre-match photo at La Cartuja brought together leading figures in Andalusian and Sevillian sports. Isabel Sánchez, Mariola Rus and María Tena stood alongside Elena Vallejo of the Real Federación Española de Rugby, a sign of institutional support for the event.
South Africa will be led by captain Babalwa Latsha, with Franzel September and Laurian Johannes-Haupt as coaches. The Springboks' trip to Seville reflects the growth of women's rugby, and both teams consider the match impressive. The South African Rugby Union reported that Libbie Janse van Rensburg and Ayanda Malinga had to return home for medical reasons; Mary Zulu was called up at short notice to join the team in Seville.
The match will be the tenth meeting between Spain and South Africa, with the Springboks leading the series 6-3, South African media report. It is also South Africa's final game of its European tour and the last fixture of its WXV Global Series season.
Organizers are planning a rugby festival around the match. A Fan Zone will open in La Cartuja's southern parking area from 10:00 to 16:00, with capacity for up to 2,000 fans. It will feature a live DJ and food and drink stalls, alongside Spain Rugby merchandise; local Sevillian clubs will also have stands, welcoming longtime rugby fans and newcomers alike.
Tickets are still available through the official platform. Fans unable to attend can watch live on Movistar Plus+ (Vamos 2 - Dial 51) from 12:00. Las Leonas' return to home turf will be broadcast nationwide, reaching viewers across Spain.
The match comes amid wider developments in Spanish sport. Recent feats, including Audi's record-breaking lead in Spain, have drawn attention to the country's achievements in new idea and other fields.
Seville's decision to host women's rugby at this level signals growing investment in women's sport. With strong backing and a historic first for the city, the match will be a impressive occasion for Spanish rugby as Las Leonas and the Springboks take the field.
