South Africa’s women’s rugby team beat Spain 20-0 at the Juan Antonio Arenas field in La Cartuja, with more than 2,000 fans in attendance. Some local reports put the crowd closer to 3,000, while World Rugby confirmed the official figure topped 2,000. It was Spain’s first appearance in Sevilla, bringing the women’s game to a city better known for football.
The event also reflected regional investment in women’s sport. The Junta de Andalucía spent €67,000 upgrading La Cartuja, adding new locker rooms and better seats, as well as improving access for fans. World Rugby listed the match as part of the WXV Global Series. SuperSport and Rugby365 confirmed the venue and kickoff, and identified French referee Bérénice Loubet. Rugby365 noted that it was the 10th meeting between Spain and South Africa; the Springbok Women had won six of the previous nine encounters.
SA Rugby reported that the match concluded South Africa’s European tour. Byrhandré Dolf was in the starting lineup after passing HIA protocols.
Patricia del Pozo, the regional minister for Culture, Historical Heritage and Sport, attended and called the match “historic.” Six Andalusian players made Spain’s squad: Marieta Román, Ana Cortés, África Vilches, Carmen Casteluchi, Lea Duche and Ana Peralta. Del Pozo said the players showed that the region’s standards are rising. “Andalucía is ready for major sporting events,” she said. “This is a chance to give women’s rugby the visibility it deserves.”
The day featured a Fan Zone and live music, followed by a third half with food and entertainment. Local clubs took part, including Cocodrilas del Universitario de Sevilla CR, which has won two Liga Iberdrola titles and two Iberdrola Iberian Cups. AM850 and other sports outlets reported that Spain struggled to finish attacks, while South Africa controlled the set pieces and played with more power.
Support for women’s rugby in Andalucía extends beyond this match. The regional government has pledged €145,703.96 for 2026 to the Federación Andaluza de Rugby. The funding will support improved management and training, alongside efforts to boost athlete performance and raise the level of federated sport. The stated goal is for women’s competitions to receive the same attention and resources as men’s.
Sevilla’s rugby roots include the historic Real Ciencias Rugby Club, whose youth programs continue to bring new talent into the sport. Other Spanish regions are also investing in women’s sport, a trend seen in other high-profile events reported earlier. Continued investment could make Sevilla a regular stop for international rugby and set a standard for building a future for women’s sport in Spain.
