USA Eagles players Emily Henrich and Cheta Emba praised South Africa’s investment in women’s rugby after two Test matches against the Springbok Women this month.
The Springbok Women defeated the USA Eagles in the first Test at Ellis Park on 4 July before losing the second match at Loftus Versfeld on 11 July. Henrich said she was impressed by the physicality shown by the hosts.
Henrich and Emba are in South Africa as part of a United States Embassy sports envoy programme. They have led clinics for young players in Johannesburg with further sessions planned in Pretoria and Durban.
Henrich noted that South Africa reached the quarterfinals of the 2025 Rugby World Cup. She added that year-round contracts now offered to USA players provide greater financial security than previous per diem arrangements.
Both players stressed the need for greater visibility and media coverage to grow the women’s game further.