USA Eagle #257, Kate Zackary will run out for her 50th appearance in a USA jersey commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States on the Eagles 4th of July Test against South Africa.
In their first ever outing on South African soil, the Eagles will take on the Women’s Springboks in Johannesburg’s iconic Ellis Park as part of a double header for the South African men’s Nations Championships opener kicking off at 7:30 am Eastern US time. Fans can watch the action live on Paramount+.
Zackary, who returns to the set up after missing the Pacific Four Series due to injury, made her USA debut in a Sevens jersey before her first 15s appearance in 2016. Leading from the pack, she has represented the USA in three Rugby World Cups injecting impact on and off the pitch.
With a roster of leaders returning from the Pacific Four Series, Georgie Perris-Redding will Captain the Eagles bringing on two new faces in Sevens standout Ashley Cowdrey who is set to start on the wing. Elizabeth Cook, who played her club rugby with the Charlotte Cardinals before moving overseas, will look to make her USA debut off the bench in the forwards pack. Out of action due to injury, Emily Henrich will miss out for the remainder of the Tour.
Coming off a productive PAC4 series, where the USA Eagles moved into 7th position on the table, taking on 10th ranked South Africa on home ground will be a challenge the squad is geared up for.
Head Coach, Jack Hanratty commented;
"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.”
Celebrating Zackary’s 50th run out, Hanratty continued;
"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. Fifty appearances for your country is a massive achievement, and this squad is incredibly motivated to mark and celebrate this milestone with her.”
Fans can catch the action live via Paramount+ while tracking the Eagles throughout this season as they build toward the USA Women’s return to home ground this October. WXV matches have been confirmed for Texas, Tennessee, and New Jersey, with tickets now on sale at here
| 1 | Hope Rogers | 61 |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Kathryn Treder | 37 |
| 3 | Reece Woods | 3 |
| 4 | Rachel Ehrecke | 26 |
| 5 | Hallie Taufoou | 33 |
| 6 | Kate Zackary | 49 |
| 7 | Georgie Perris-Redding (C) | 21 |
| 8 | Freda Tafuna | 20 |
| 9 | Cass Bargell | 15 |
| 10 | Bella Vogel | 3 |
| 11 | Ashley Cowdrey* | Uncapped |
| 12 | Katana Howard | 25 |
| 13 | Telesi Uhatafe | 3 |
| 14 | Bulou Mataitoga | 31 |
| 15 | Alev Kelter | 36 |
| 16 | Paige Stathopoulos | 23 |
| 17 | Alivia Leatherman | 13 |
| 18 | Elizabeth Cook* | Uncapped |
| 19 | Kapoina Bailey | 4 |
| 20 | Tessa Hann | 5 |
| 21 | Hann Humphreys | 3 |
| 22 | Olivia Ortiz | 30 |
| 23 | Kristin Bitter | 10 |
Sat, July 4: USA vs. South Africa
7:30 am ET | Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Sat, July 11: USA vs. South Africa
7:30 am ET | Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Jack Hanratty | Head Coach
Sarah Chobot | Assistant Coach
Lou Meadows | Assistant Coach
Jon Humphreys | Assistant Coach
Michael Deasy | Head of Athletic Performance
Sam Malette | Lead Athletic Trainer
Mia Pelton | Athletic Trainer
Abigail Hamilton | Team Physician
Hannah Reid | Team Manager
Rudy Betancourt | Videographer
USA vs Italy | 5:00pm CT
Saturday October 17th - Texas Health Mansfield Stadium, Mansfield, TX
USA vs Italy | 3:15pm CT
Saturday October 24th - GEODIS Park, Nashville, TN
USA vs England | 5:15pm ET
Friday October 30th - Sports Illustrated Stadium, Newark, NJ
