07/11/2026
🇺🇸✨ A debut to remember!
Elizabeth Cook crosses for her first try in a USA Eagles jersey against South Africa at Ellis Park Stadium on July 4th! 🔥
What a moment for Cook, making an immediate impact in her debut appearance as the USA Eagles took on South Africa in the first of two matches in Johannesburg. A special day, a special try, and hopefully the first of many in red, white, and blue. 🇺🇸🏉
Match insight from :
The Springbok Women dominated the opening forty minutes, using intense physical pressure to build a 29-0 lead by halftime. The Eagles completely flipped the momentum after the restart, locking down defensively and answering with three second-half tries. Freda Tafuna broke the shutout first, followed by two debut-day scores from Ashley Cowdrey and Elizabeth Cook. Bella Vogel slotted all three conversions to close the gap to 34-21.
While the second-half comeback held South Africa scoreless for the rest of the game, the early deficit was too large to overcome. The match also marked a historic milestone for veteran Kate Zackary, who earned her 50th cap in the USA jersey.
Head Coach Jack Hanratty praised the resilience of the debutants but was direct about the performance, stating the team simply failed to match South Africa’s early ferocity.
Thank you to our LIT USA Ambassador, , for this clip.