Springbok Icon Japie Mulder Champions Daughter’s Rugby Rise Amid National Shift in Women’s Sports

1995 World Cup winner Japie Mulder discusses his daughter Jané’s rise to the BlitzBoks and the need for investment in South African women's rugby.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 23, 2026, 3:43 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Rugby365

A Legacy Reimagined in the Green and Gold

Three decades after Japie Mulder helped secure South Africa’s historic first World Cup title, the Mulder name is returning to the international rugby stage through a new generation. Jané Mulder, the 19-year-old daughter of the Springbok legend, has rapidly progressed from local club play to the national setup, recently earning a call-up to the BlitzBoks Women’s squad for the World Championship in Hong Kong. Although she did not take the field during South Africa’s notable 19-5 victory over Great Britain, her presence in the squad marks a significant milestone. Her father admitted that while he initially found it difficult to envision his daughter in such a physical sport, he has fully committed to supporting her journey as she carves out an independent identity within the sport.

The Secret Beginnings of a Rugby Career

The transition from traditional school sports to the oval ball was a journey Jané undertook with striking independence. Despite growing up in a household steeped in rugby culture, she initially pursued netball, hockey, and athletics. At age 16, she expressed interest in rugby, but a lack of available clubs temporarily stalled her ambitions. Unbeknownst to her father, Jané spent a month during her matric year secretly training with the Wits ladies' team after school. According to Japie Mulder, she only approached him for permission once she was required to play her first competitive match, demonstrating a level of grit and determination that mirrored his own storied career.

Navigating Professional Hurdles and Provincial Gaps

While Jané’s personal rise has been swift, her father remains vocal about the systemic challenges facing women’s rugby in South Africa. He pointed to a significant disparity in provincial support, noting that while Pretoria maintains a robust programme, other regions like the Golden Lions are lagging behind. Currently, the Bulls Daisies stand as the only fully professional women’s outfit in the country, a limitation that Mulder believes stifles the development of world-class talent. He emphasized that for South Africa to close the gap with top-tier nations like New Zealand and Australia, there must be a concerted effort to move beyond amateur structures toward a fully funded professional model.