Erin King leads Ireland in historic tests against South Africa

From safari to Springboks - Erin King ready for history

Captain Erin King celebrated her 23rd birthday in the lead-up to Ireland's WXV tests in South Africa. The two Tests, part of the WXV Global Series, marked the first time Ireland’s women played on Springbok soil. The historic occasion saw the sides meet on Saturday at 14:00 BST, with King leading Scott Bemand's side out in Cape Town for the first time. "We've definitely spoken about the history of getting to play in Cape Town and getting to play in South Africa," she stated. "Rugby is everything for them. They eat and breathe rugby, and there's so much history there. We'd love to come over, win the two Tests and create a bit of history."

Ireland began the WXV Series with mixed results, suffering a defeat to the USA before bouncing back with a win over Japan in Galway. They then defeated Japan again in an out-of-window match at the start of October. In contrast, South Africa struggled early in the WXV, achieving victories against Spain and Italy but ultimately facing a heavy defeat from Wales. The first Test featured two teams eager to prove themselves. King believed physicality would be crucial in determining the outcome. "I think physicality is what will probably win it this weekend, and that is something we definitely don't shy away from."

The Irish squad enjoyed their time in South Africa and took advantage of the tour experience. They participated in a safari to witness local wildlife, with King proclaiming it to be "a beautiful place". "We're really excited to be away on tour together, and it's really special for us to bond as a group," she remarked, emphasizing the importance of off-field connections that translate to on-field performance.

On a personal note, hooker Neve Jones was set to earn her 50th cap during Saturday’s match, and King expressed enthusiasm for Jones's milestone: "I'm delighted for her to get her 50th cap. It's going to be a really special day for her, and no one deserves it more than her."

Looking ahead to the next World Cup in 2029, King recognized the benefits of the bonding experiences during the tour. She noted the significance of these collective moments compared to their on-field responsibilities. King’s transformative journey in rugby has been notable, transitioning from the Sevens team—where she gained experience including participation in the Paris Olympics—to making her 15-a-side debut in 2024. Bemand appointed her captain ahead of the Six Nations, a testament to her rapid growth. "I suppose it's been a bit of a whirlwind in the last two years, and I was really lucky when I came into the squad to come into such a great group of girls."

Reflecting on her initial training with Ireland, King shared her doubts but also expressed her pride in captaining the team during this exciting phase. "It's an absolute honour to lead out Ireland, and it's a really exciting time for the group going forward. I’m just lucky to be part of the team that I'm part of and lucky to captain such an amazing group."