Cardiff Met’s Elizabeth “Cookie” Cook selected for historic USA Women’s Eagles South Africa Tour

Cardiff Met student-athlete Elizabeth “Cookie” Cook has been selected in the USA Women’s Eagles squad for their historic two-Test tour of South Africa this summer. The selection marks another major step in Cooke’s international journey, with the Cardiff Met forward named among the squad travelling to face the Springbok Women in Johannesburg and Pretoria.

Cook, who studies Sport and Exercise Science at Cardiff Metropolitan University, is listed by USA Rugby as one of the new caps in the touring group. It follows her selection earlier this year for the USA Women’s Eagles UK alignment camp, where overseas-based players were brought together as part of the programme’s wider preparation for the next international cycle.

The tour will see the USA Women’s Eagles play on South African soil for the first time, adding further significance to Cook’s inclusion. The opening Test takes place on Saturday 4 July at Ellis Park in Johannesburg, before the second match is played the following weekend at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.

For Cook, the selection continues a period of impressive progress across the Cardiff Met and USA Rugby environments. She has previously represented the USA at U20 level and toured Wales in 2024, gaining valuable international experience before later being drafted into the Bristol Bears Women squad.

Her inclusion in the senior touring squad now places her in line for a potential USA Women’s Eagles debut. USA Rugby have named Cooke among five uncapped players in the group, with Head Coach Jack Hanratty using the tour as an opportunity to build depth and develop new personnel ahead of future international campaigns.

Lisa Newton, Head Rugby Coach at Cardiff Met Sport, "Cookie has had a significant impact in the Cardiff Met WBSR side for the last 2 seasons playing a significant role in the 2024/25 winning final squad. Transitioning from back row to tight head prop and developing her technical and tactical skillset under the guidance of forwards coach Michael Vaunghan has given Cookie the foundation to break into the senior USA squad. Cardiff Met Women's rugby recognises and celebrates the value of diversity in our programme and hope that many other International students will see cookies journey as a established route to progress onto the international stage."

Cook will be part of a squad led by Georgie Perris-Redding, who will captain the Eagles for the first time. The touring group also includes experienced internationals such as Kate Zackary, Hope Rogers and Alev Kelter, giving the Cardiff Met forward the chance to continue her development within a high-performance international environment.

The USA arrive in South Africa looking to build on the progress made during the Pacific Four Series earlier this year. Hanratty’s side moved up the World Rugby rankings this spring after defeating Australia in Kansas City and will now face a Springbok Women’s side continuing to grow in stature on the world stage.

Cook’s selection is another proud moment for Cardiff Met Rugby and reflects the strength of the women’s programme in supporting players across both student and performance pathways. To see a current Cardiff Met student named on a senior international tour underlines the opportunities available within the university environment and the standards being driven across the programme.

Everyone at Cardiff Met Sport congratulates Elizabeth on her selection and wishes her the very best for the USA Women’s Eagles tour of South Africa.