'They did not see the best of me': Vainah Ubisi vows to make her mark against Black Ferns

Vainah Ubisi has mixed memories of the Springboks‘ Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 campaign.

On one hand, it was an historic occasion for South Africa as their women’s side reached the quarter-final stage of the tournament for the first time. On the other, she did not perform to the lofty standard she has set.

The 23-year-old lock, who has played in 26 Test matches already in her career, saw her preparation for last year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup curtailed by a knee injury.

Instead of being utilised as a starter, Ubisi was used from the bench on three occasions. Including their quarter-final exit to the Black Ferns at Exeter’s Sandy Park.

“It was frustrating to go to the World Cup not having played much rugby and trying to catch up, so that experience was not the greatest for me,” Ubisi said.

This weekend Ubisi gets a second chance to impress against the Black Ferns. The first time that the Springbok Women have hosted the New Zealanders, teams will meet as part of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry at FNB Stadium in Soweto.

Ubisi comes into the fixture as an undisputed starter in the second row. Already this season she has experienced domestic success with the Bulls Daisies, and started in two-Test series against the USA Women’s Eagles and Fijiana XV across the past two months.

“[I am] feeling strong and confident in my abilities also helps me in my game management,” Ubisi said. “I am not waiting for something to happen; I see it as my job at lock to make this happen. We are the engine room after all.

“I am happy with where I am at with regards to my form, my physicality and my growth as an international lock and it is going to be great to be tested against by the Black Ferns. At the World Cup, they did not see the best of me.

“My Black Ferns experience was not the greatest, but now less than a year later, I can redeem that. I almost feel I will meet them at my terms this time around, if you understand what I mean.

“I am confident in my current form, they are coming to face us on our home soil and we face off in the biggest stadium in the country. What more can one ask for?”