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Black Ferns suffer major injury blow before France Test

By Annemie Bester
Thursday 10 Sep 2026
EXETER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 13: Libbie Janse Van Rensburg Of South Africa Passes The Ball During The Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 Quarter Final Match Between New Zealand And South Africa At Sandy Park On September 13, 2025 In Exeter, England. (Photo By Dan Istitene/Getty Images Photos

INJURY UPDATE: The Black Ferns have been dealt a major injury setback ahead of their WXV Global Series opener against France, with co-captain Ruahei Demant ruled out with a calf injury.

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Demant, the most experienced player in the New Zealand squad with 56 Test caps, will miss this weekend’s clash, while experienced hooker Georgia Ponsonby will take over as sole captain for the remainder of the tour.

The 2022 World Rugby Player of the Year featured off the bench in Saturday’s 52-20 victory over the Springbok Women at FNB Stadium, playing the final 10 minutes of the historic Greatest Rivalry double-header in Soweto.

*Continues below…

 

However, New Zealand have now confirmed the playmaker sustained a calf injury and will not be available for the opening WXV fixture against France. A timeline for her return has not yet been confirmed.

The Black Ferns said an announcement on Demant’s replacement in the squad will be made in the coming days.

Ponsonby, who had been sharing the captaincy duties with Demant, will now lead the side on her own as the defending world champions begin their WXV campaign against France.

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