Alicia Willemse Ready to Shine Bright in LA Showdown

(The Post News)– The 2025 season has been a whirlwind for Alicia Willemse, but the dynamic 27-year-old is hoping to find focus and fire in Los Angeles (LA) this weekend as the Springbok Women’s Sevens gear up for their most critical tournament of the year.

Fresh from earning her first test cap for the Springbok Women in Alicante—just weeks after debuting in the World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger Series—Willemse now faces Ireland and China on Saturday, followed by Argentina on Sunday, in a playoff that will shape the team’s future in the global sevens circuit.

Speaking after arriving in the U.S., Willemse admitted it’s a defining moment, both for the team and her career. Her return to the fifteens training squad after LA keeps her in contention for the Rugby World Cup in England later this year—an opportunity she’s worked hard for after missing out in 2024.

Although her initial goals centred on the fifteens format, she’s embraced the challenge of sevens, enjoying the pace and space it offers. “It’s been a privilege to represent both codes in such a short space of time,” she shared.

Willemse emphasised that both teams share a hunger to honour the jersey, with the sevens squad particularly motivated to reclaim their place in the top 12.

Armed with momentum from their Krakow Challenger Series win and fond memories of a top finish in LA last year, the team is ready to rise again.