Zackary to hit Eagles half century on Fourth of July against Springboks Women

Kate Zackary will win her 50th cap for the USA Women’s Eagles on the same day her country celebrates 250 years of independence.

The 36-year-old will play against the Springboks Women just six days after she captained Trailfinders Women in the Premiership Women’s Rugby Final loss to Saracens at the Twickenham Stoop.

Zackary, who will have a new club for the 2026/27 season, will play in the Ellis Park fixture ahead of South Africa men’s Nations Championship opener against England at the same venue. She has played for the USA women’s XVs side for the past decade and at three Women’s Rugby World Cups.

Jack Hanratty, USA Women’s Eagles head coach, said: “We are very lucky to have Kate back, fresh off captaining at the PWR Final with the Trailfinders, she brings an elevated level of professionalism and experience into our group.

“50 appearances for your country is a massive achievement, and this squad is incredibly motivated to mark and celebrate this milestone with her.”

Zackary will play in a back-row with stand-in captain Georgie Perris-Redding and No.8 Freda Tafuna. Ashley Cowdrey will make her XVs debut on the wing, while Cardiff Met University prop Elizabeth Cook is named on the bench. Emily Henrich has been ruled out of the two-match tour with injury.

Hanratty said: “We got a huge amount out of PAC4 from our Eagles environment – new athletes, staff and on-field. We targeted a win and what that experience felt like at PAC4. Getting a taste of that against Australia gave the group an appetite for more. Playing in environments like Ellis Park will be the real litmus test for our group – for all players, whether they have 50 caps or earning their first.”

“The Women’s Springboks had an incredibly strong performance at the Rugby World Cup and we are looking forward to the challenge we know they will be presenting. South Africa is a new ground for the USA Women but this rugby obsessed environment is exactly where world-class moments are created.”

USA Women’s Eagles match day 23 v South Africa

15. Alev Kelter
14. Bulou Mataitoga
13. Telesi Uhatafe
12. Katana Howard
11. Ashley Cowdrey*
10. Bella Vogel
9. Cass Bargell
1. Hope Rogers
2. Kathryn Treder
3. Reece Woods
4. Rachel Ehrecke
5. Hallie Taufoou
6. Kate Zackary
7. Georgie Perris-Redding (C)
8. Freda Tafuna

Replacements

16. Paige Stathopoulos
17. Alivia Leatherman
18. Elizabeth Cook
19. Kapoina Bailey
20. Tessa Hann
21. Hann Humphreys
22. Olivia Ortiz
23. Kristin Bitter