Ireland lose Six Nations Player of the Championship Wafer to surgery ahead of South Africa tour

Ireland will travel to South Africa without Aoife Wafer after the back-row, named Six Nations Player of the Championship earlier this year, underwent surgery that rules her out of the two-match series against the Springbok Women on 24 and 31 October in Cape Town.

Wafer, 23, featured in Ireland’s WXV Global Series opener against the USA in Dublin but missed the subsequent back-to-back fixtures against Japan. Irish Rugby did not disclose the nature of the injury, though her club side Harlequins confirmed the procedure was successful and that she would also miss the start of the Premiership Women’s Rugby season.

The absence compounds an already difficult squad picture for head coach Scott Bemand. Sam Monaghan is also unavailable after sustaining a campaign-ending Achilles injury in September, though Ruth Campbell has recovered from an ankle problem and is included in the 30-player touring party.

Erin King retains the captaincy as Ireland depart for South Africa next Thursday. The squad includes five recently capped players — Beth Buttimer, Jemima Adams Verling, Kate Jordan, Sophie Barrett and Alana McInerney — following a remote training week and back-to-back wins over Japan.

Ireland’s WXV Global Series form has been inconsistent. A 40-36 defeat to the USA was followed by a 31-24 win over Japan, and they also beat the Sakura Fifteen 43-19 in an out-of-window fixture in Cork. South Africa, meanwhile, lost 50-19 to Wales in their opening WXV fixture before recovering with victories against Italy and Spain.

Ireland touring squad — WXV Global Series 2025

Forwards: Beth Buttimer, Brittany Hogan, Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald, Dorothy Wall, Eilís Cahill, Erin King (captain), Fiona Tuite-O’Sullivan, Grace Moore, Jane Clohessy, Jemima Adams Verling, Kate Jordan, Linda Djougang, Neve Jones, Niamh O’Dowd, Ruth Campbell, Sadhbh McGrath, Sophie Barrett.

Backs: Alana McInerney, Anna McGann, Aoibheann Reilly, Aoife Dalton, Béibhinn Parsons, Dannah O’Brien, Emily Lane, Enya Breen, Eve Higgins, Niamh Gallagher, Robyn O’Connor, Stacey Flood, Vicky Elmes Kinlan.