KUCHING: Malaysia’s national women’s rugby team dominated the inaugural SEA Women’s XV Championship, finishing unbeaten at the top of the standings.
The tournament, held from 8 to 14 February 2026 at Padang Astaka in Petaling Jaya, saw Malaysia open with a thrilling 15-15 draw against regional rivals, Singapore.
The deadlock set the stage for a commanding performance in the final match, where the national side routed the Philippines 78-0 to clinch the championship on the final day.
Singapore finished second following their 51-0 victory over the Philippines on 11 February, while the Philippines took third place.
The championship victory marks a historic milestone for Malaysian women’s rugby, highlighting the rapid growth and competitiveness of the sport in the region.
The squad featured three Sarawakians – Cuthberta Entai, Siti Markhamah Mohd Fadzil, and Dayang Manggie – who were also part of the team that earned Malaysia their first-ever World Rugby ranking points in the 15-a-side format.
With the festive season happening, the team’s triumph adds a celebratory note to the start of the year, signalling a bright outlook for women’s rugby in Malaysia.
Women’s rugby in Malaysia has traditionally focused on the sevens discipline, making this 15s campaign a significant expansion of the national programme.
