Black Ferns XV
| Union | New Zealand Rugby |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Willie Walker |
| Captain | Holly Greenway |
| First international | |
 Black Ferns XV 38–12 Manusina XV  (23 September 2023) | |
| Biggest win | |
| Black Ferns XV 38–12 Manusina XV (23 September 2023) | |
| Biggest defeat | |
| Black Ferns XV 12–45 New Zealand (5 July 2025) | |
| Website | allblacks.com |
The Black Ferns XV is the second women's national rugby union team of New Zealand, after the Black Ferns. Matches played by the 'Black Ferns XV' are non-test matches, usually against a touring side or lower tier rugby nation.
History
The Black Ferns XV were introduced to New Zealand Rugby’s high performance women’s pathway in 2023.[1] They played their first match against the Manusina XV at Navigation Homes Stadium in Pukekohe on 23 September 2023.[2][3]
The side will be providing international rugby in a touring environment which will help accelerate the development of a wider group of players outside the Black Ferns and will build the depth of women’s rugby in New Zealand.[1]
In 2025, the side assembled on 29 June for a trial match against the Black Ferns in Whangarei on 5 July, and it was part of a double-header fixture at Semenoff Stadium that also featured the Māori All Blacks against Scotland.[4][5] The trial match offered players another chance to "impress the Black Ferns coaches ahead of the Laurie O’Reilly Cup and the Rugby World Cup selection for a broader group of New Zealand’s top professional players." The matches was also a boost for the Black Ferns in their Rugby World Cup preparations.[4][5]
Willie Walker was announced as the Black Ferns XVs Head Coach for their 2025 campaign.[6] They played the Black Ferns in Whangarei on 5 July, and later played two matches against South Africa.[6][7] In their 2 match tour of South Africa, the Black Ferns XV split both games against the Springbok Womens with the Black Ferns XV winning the first match and the Springbok Womens winning the second match.[8][9]
Results
(All matches played, updated to 2 August 2025):[10]
| Opponent | Played | Won | Lost | Drawn | Win% | For | Aga | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manusina XV
|
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100% | 38 | 12 | +26 |
| New Zealand
|
1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0% | 12 | 45 | –33 |
 South Africa
|
2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 50% | 58 | 67 | +9 |
| Summary | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 50% | 108 | 124 | –16 |
Current squad
The Black Ferns XV announced their 28-player squad for two matches against the Springbok Women’s team in Cape Town on 26 July and 2 August.[11]
Players in bold are players capped by the senior New Zealand women's national team, the Black Ferns.
Head Coach: Willie Walker
See also
- New Zealand national schoolboy rugby union team
- New Zealand national under-19 rugby union team
- New Zealand national under-20 rugby union team
- New Zealand national under-21 rugby union team
- Maori All Blacks
- All Blacks XV
- All Blacks
- Black Ferns
References
- ^ a b "Black Ferns XV to provide opportunity for emerging talent". nzrugby.co.nz. 18 August 2023.
- ^ Julian, Adam (23 September 2023). "Black Ferns XV overcome Manusina XV in the wet". allblacks.com. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
- ^ "Black Ferns subdue spirited Manusina XV". odt.co.nz. 25 September 2023.
- ^ a b "Black Ferns XV to play two matches against the Springbok Women in South Africa". allblacks.com. 7 May 2025.
- ^ a b "Rugby: Black Ferns XV to face South Africa". rnz.co.nz. 7 May 2025.
- ^ a b "Black Ferns XV 2025 coach and management group confirmed". NZ Rugby. 19 June 2025. Retrieved 28 June 2025.
- ^ "Experienced Bok Women squad named for Canada". www.springboks.rugby. 26 June 2025. Retrieved 29 June 2025.
- ^ "Springboks Women Push Black Ferns XV Close in Cape Town". allblacks.com. 27 July 2025.
- ^ "Black Ferns XV go down to South Africa in Game Two". allblacks.com. 3 August 2025.
- ^ "Black Ferns XV Fixtures and Results". allblacks.com. 6 June 2025.
- ^ "Black Ferns XV travelling squad to South Africa announced". allblacks.com. 16 July 2025. Retrieved 16 July 2025.