Two weeks ago, the Oranje Dames XV arrived in Hong Kong ranked 17th in the world, one of six nations at the inaugural WXV Global Series Challenger. On Saturday morning they play for the title. Two matches, two wins, and a single fixture left between the Netherlands and the trophy: Fiji, the only other unbeaten side at Kai Tak.
Two from two
The campaign opened on 13 September with a statement. Twelve tries against Samoa, four of them from winger Kika Mulling, and a 70-0 scoreline that nobody had pencilled in. Samoa came to Hong Kong ranked above the Netherlands; they left the pitch without a point.
A week later came a very different kind of test. Brazil made the Dutch work for every metre, and a late fightback from the Yaras turned the closing minutes into a question of nerve. The Oranje Dames answered it, holding on for a 17-15 win. Mulling added her fifth try in two matches, enough to lead the tournament's try scoring charts heading into the final weekend.
Across both matches, the Netherlands have scored 87 points and conceded just 15. No side in Hong Kong has a meaner defence.
Fijiana, unbeaten and in form
Standing in their way are the Fijiana, who have built momentum of their own. In the opening round they trailed Spain 32-19 with ten minutes to play, then produced a finish of real ferocity to win 38-32, their first ever victory over Las Leonas. Round two brought an eight try performance against the hosts, 54-26 over Hong Kong China.
Two bonus point wins leave Fiji top of the table on ten points, one clear of the Netherlands on nine. The arithmetic is simple enough. A draw would hand Fiji the title. The Oranje Dames need to win.
There is history to lean on, though. The last time these two sides met, at the National Rugby Centre in Amsterdam in September 2024, the Netherlands edged it 12-10.
In her own words
Ahead of the decider, Rugby Culture founder Dirk Walenkamp put a question to Lieve Stallmann, who is set to win her 25th cap for the Netherlands on Saturday. Her answer says more about this squad than any league table could.
"Winning this tournament won't automatically give us a place at the World Cup, but for a lot of people it would mean a great deal if we win. Fiji are above us in the rankings, so for our world ranking this would be really good for us. We're very much the underdogs, so nobody would expect us to win. It would really put us in the picture. But the fact that we've already won two matches at this tournament is pretty special in itself."
And if they win on Saturday, are they the champions? Her reply needed only one word: "Yes."
She is right about what is at stake. World Cup places for 2029 are decided through the regional competitions in 2027, with this tournament returning in 2028 as the final qualification event. Along the way, the two best placed teams on the world rankings that have not yet qualified will also earn their ticket. A win over a side ranked above them would count for a great deal.
Saturday carries a sense of occasion beyond the table, too. It will be the final match in charge for head coach Gareth Gilbert, who steps down at the end of the tour, and captain Linde van der Velden of Exeter Chiefs will lead the side out.
How to follow the decider
Fiji v Netherlands kicks off at 12:00 local time on Saturday 26 September at Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground, which means a 06:00 start back home in the Netherlands. An early alarm, a strong coffee and something orange to wear: there are worse ways to begin a weekend.
Whatever the result, this squad has already given Dutch rugby a September to remember. Rugby Culture is proud to have played a small part in getting them there.
Results, standings and fixtures per World Rugby and RugbyPass as of 25 September 2026. Quote translated from Dutch.
