Taking place from 13-26 September, the WXV Global Series Challenger 2026 will see Brazil, Fiji, Hong Kong China, the Netherlands, Samoa and Spain contest the six-team competition.
It will be the first time since 2024 that Hong Kong China have played a home fixture.
The tournament will not only provide the team with high-quality fixtures but will also open the door to Women’s Rugby World Cup 2029 qualification.
In 2027 eight teams will qualify for Women’s Rugby World Cup 2029 in their regional competitions. The best two non-qualified teams, decided by the World Rugby rankings, will also qualify at the end of the 2027 international window.
The WXV Global Series Challenger 2028 will then act as a final qualification tournament.
Brazil
As Yaras have enjoyed the perfect preparation for this WXV Global Series Challenger campaign. Back-to-back wins over a South Africa ‘A’ team mean that their new head coach, Guilherme Coghetto, will have plenty of confidence ahead of challenging fixtures with Hong Kong China, the Netherlands and Spain.
Players to watch
Raquel Kochhann – There is little doubt that Raquel Kochhann’s name will be part of Brazilian women’s rugby for many years. It was a decade ago that the 33-year-old competed at her first Olympic Games. Two Games later, and last year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup, the playmaker will offer plenty in Hong Kong.
Luiza Campos – A veteran of two Olympic Games and Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, Luiza Campos brings an immense amount of experience to Brazil. Instrumental in her team’s recent back-to-back victories against South Africa ‘A’, that experience could prove to be invaluable at Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground.
Fixtures
- Hong Kong China vs Brazil, Sunday 13 September, 15:30 KO*
- Brazil vs Netherlands, Saturday 19 September, 19:00 KO
- Spain vs Brazil, Saturday 26 September, 19:00 KO
Fiji
After they ended Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 on an immense high by beating Wales at Exeter’s Sandy Park, the Fijiana XV have continued to impress. This year the side claimed their second Oceania Rugby Women’s Championship in a row and will now be led by three-time Super Rugby Aupiki winner Willie Walker after his appointment as head coach.
Players to watch
Kolora Lomani – Installed as Fijiana XV captain earlier this year, Kolora Lomani has already formed a valuable relationship with fly-half Varanaise Qoro and maintains an extremely high tempo to keep her team on the front-foot.
Adi Vani Buleki – Only capped in August when the Fijiana XV hosted the Springbok Women, Adi Vani Buleki has already translated the form that made her a threat on the HSBC SVNS Series and Super Rugby Women’s to test rugby with two tries in as many games.
Fixtures
- Spain v Fiji, Sunday, 13 September, 12:00 KO
- Fiji v Hong Kong China, Saturday 19 September, 15:30 KO
- Fiji v Netherlands, Saturday, 26 September, 12:00 KO
Hong Kong China
When Hong Kong China play their WXV Global Series Challenger opener against Brazil it is sure to be an emotional affair. It will be the team’s first game on home soil since 2024. Hong Kong China finished third at this year’s Asia Rugby Women’s Championship after a loss to Japan and a draw with Kazakhstan. Lead coach Tumua Ioane has included a number of Hong Kong China’s sevens stars in his squad, along with a mix of new and established talent.
Players to watch
Lee Ka Shun – One of five remaining veterans of Hong Kong China’s Rugby World Cup 2017 campaign, Lee Ka Shun will retire at the end of this WXV Global Series Challenger. Her team’s most-capped player, the 37-year-old will be looking to end her international career with a bang.
Roshini Turner – Physical second-row Roshini Turner spent last season with eventual Premiership Women’s Rugby champions Saracens and will hope to bring some of what she learned to Hong Kong China across the next three weeks.
Fixtures
- Hong Kong China v Brazil, Sunday, 13 September, 15:30 KO
- Fiji v Hong Kong China, Saturday, 19 September, 15:30 KO
- Hong Kong China v Samoa, Saturday, 26 September, 15:30 KO
Netherlands
The Netherlands will say goodbye to head coach Gareth Gilbert at the end of their time in Hong Kong. Runners-up at this year’s Rugby Europe Women’s Championship – where the Dames XV picked up wins against Portugal and Belgium – the team prepared for their trip to WXV Global Series Challenger with a 33-0 win over a Scotland A team in Amsterdam.
Players to watch
Linde van der Velden – A player whose importance has continued to grow with every year. As captain of the Netherlands, the Exeter Chiefs forward will be at the heart of everything that the Oranje do in attack and defence.
Pleuni Kievit – The Dames XV centre arrived in Hong Kong immediately after she helped the NSW Waratahs to a Super Rugby Women’s three-peat. A long-time contributor to her national team, the versatile midfielder has big game experience in 2026 that she will want to lend to her national team.
Fixtures
- The Netherlands v Samoa, Sunday, 13 September, 19:00 KO
- Brazil v The Netherlands, Saturday, 19 September, 19:00 KO
- Fiji v The Netherlands, Saturday, 26 September, 12:00 KO
Samoa
Manusina Samoa will be coached by their former playmaker Fuimaono Bella Milo for the first time in Hong Kong. An 18-year veteran of the side Bella Milo has extensive coaching experience with Valley RFC in Hong Kong and even coached Samoa’s defence at Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025. This year, the Manusina finished as runners-up in the 2026 Oceania Rugby Women’s Championship.
Players to watch
Taytana Pati Ah Cheung – After a breakthrough 2025 for the Manusina, Taytana Pati Ah Cheung started both of her team’s Oceania Rugby Women’s Championship matches as Samoa finished as runners-up. Still only aged 22, expect plenty more from the full-back.
Lutia Col Aumua – At Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 the outside back was a leading light for Samoa. Across two outings the 22-year-old made 78 metres and made three clean breaks. Earlier this year she represented Samoa in HSBC SVNS 3 competition.
Fixtures
- The Netherlands v Samoa, Sunday, 13 September, 19:00 KO
- Samoa v Spain, Saturday, 19 September, 12:00 KO
- Hong Kong China v Samoa, Saturday, 26 September, 15:30 KO
Spain
Régis Sonnes team arrive in Hong Kong in good form. Already this year Las Leonas have claimed a Rugby Europe Women’s Championship and will be buoyed by the return of Anne Fernández Corres to their team after time in Super Rugby Women’s with the ACT Brumbies. Having made a pledge to play expansive rugby, Spain will be essential viewing across the next three weeks.
Players to watch
Clàudia Peña Hidalgo – Even at just 21 the back has established herself as one of the top players in the world. Clàudia Peña Hidalgo enjoyed a positive Premiership Women’s Rugby season with club-side Harlequins and captained Las Leonas to another Rugby Europe Women’s Championship title.
Anne Fernández de Corres – The scrum-half arrives in Hong Kong China in red-hot form. In her first Super Rugby Women’s season with the ACT Brumbies, the 28-year-old was named Helen Taylor Award for Women’s Player of the Year for her efforts in Canberra.
Fixtures
- Spain v Fiji, Sunday, 13 September, 12:00 KO
- Samoa v Spain, Saturday, 19 September, 12:00 KO
- Spain v Brazil, Saturday, 26 September, 19:00 KO
*All kick-off times Hong Kong Standard Time (GMT+8)
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