The Springbok Women bow out of the World Cup in style
MATCH REPORT: The Springbok Women’s march at the 2025 World Cup has ended, but they did so in style as they were defeated 46-17 by the Black Ferns in Exeter on Saturday.
The Bok Women have awakened a giant in women’s rugby locally with the way in which they competed at this World Cup.
It was the first time the six-time World Champions, New Zealand, were held at an equal score at halftime at the World Cup when the teams headed to the shed at 10-10.
The reigning champions march into the semifinals, but not after they were left shell-shocked in the first 15 minutes of the game by a rampant South Africa.
The gutsy Bok Women got the opening try within the first few minutes.
South Africa forced a knock-on from the get-go as the Black Ferns wanted to go wide on attack.
From the scrum, the Bok Women started a maul, marching into the 22 and won another penalty. Libbie Janse van Rensburg found touch, sending them up to five metres out.
The maul ensued, Aseza Hele picked, and there was another penalty.
From a tap and go, the South Africans lost the ball. The Black Ferns won a scrum penalty as the Bok Women collapsed.
South Africa spread it wide and showed confidence against their respective opponents.
The Springboks sprung a surprise in the lineout, with half their backs also lining up as they got the maul going.
Another penalty to the Boks got them to within five metres out. But again, they knock the ball.
In the first 15 minutes, South Africa were playing all the rugby with 90% possession, forcing the Black Ferns into defense mode.
It was third time lucky as South Africa scored with their maul as vice captain Babalwa Latsha forced her way over for their first try.
New Zealand quickly got over the advantage line from the kickoff, but almost went over the line; however, the ball was short.
South Africa got the scrum, but Janse van Rensburg couldn’t get the ball away quickly enough; it was stormed down, and the Black Ferns got their first try.
South Africa were backpaddling from the kick-off as the Black Ferns immediately started their attack.
Another five-metre scrum to New Zealand put the Kiwis in the perfect scoring opportunity once more, and the teenage sensation Braxton Sorensen-McGee got over in the corner.
South Africa composed themselves after a massive scrum and got on the front foot once more. With a minute to go, South Africa found touch close to the 22.
Nadine Roos was lifted in the lineout, and the maul marched on. The Bok Women went to work, edging their way forward, asserting their dominance in the tight phases.
Latsha inched forward, and Sizophila Solontsi was on hand to get the try just before halftime, and it was the perfect time to have that boost.
The Black Ferns struck back immediately from a short kickoff, grabbing their third try.
Again, from the kick off, the Black Ferns had the numbers out wide as Renee Holmes scored.
South Africa had leaked 10 points in the space of five minutes, and they needed to regroup to get back into the game.
But the Kiwis were over again, finally getting their mojo on with some smart play.
Coach Swys de Bruin then sent his replacements on, the Blom Squad was on the park. But the numbers out wide once again beat South Africa, which saw them score out wide, Olsen-Baker grabbing her second.
After an hour, the Black Ferns were leading 32-10.
The second half was Even Stevens until the Black Ferns got smashed out on the five metre.
South Africa botched the lineout, and the Black Ferns used the ball to beat their defenders out wide for another five-pointer.
Then the Bok Women had their first opportunity in the second half with a lineout
Their forwards drove forward inch by inch with the crowd behind them.
They were short thrice, and then Yonela Ngxingolo finally dotted down after multiple phases, but obstruction was called, and the try was disallowed.
From the penalty, South Africa competed at the lineout, Roos stepped through some defenders, and the forwards again rallied to maul forward.
Penalty advantage followed, Roos tapped, and Hanekom drove. They were short a few times, and then Lerato Makua got her second try at the World Cup.
The Black Ferns were on attack again, and the Bok Women scrambled. They stole the ball, it went through the hands, but it was lost.
New Zealand hit the nail in the coffin as the tackles slip off Amy du Plessis, who scored under the posts in the 79th minute to clinch the game and advance to the semifinals.
Player of the Match: Kaipo Olsen-Baker, with her 6 carries and 52 metres, and 25 tackles, was the catalyst for the Black Ferns’ victory.
Scorers:
For New Zealand:
Tries: Setefano, Sorensen-McGee 2, Holmes, Olsen-Baker 2, Holmes, Vaha’akolo
Cons: Holmes 2, Sorensen-McGee
For South Africa:
Tries: Latsha, Solontsi, Makua
Cons: Dolf
Teams
South Africa: 15 Byrhandré Dolf, 14 Maceala Samboya, 13 Zintle Mpupha, 12 Aphiwe Ngwevu, 11 Ayanda Malinga, 10 Libbie Janse van Rensburg, 9 Nadine Roos, 8 Aseza Hele, 7 Sinazo Mcatshulwa, 6 Sizophila Solontsi, 5 Danelle Lochner, 4 Nolusindiso Booi (captain), 3 Babalwa Latsha, 2 Lindelwa Gwala, 1 Sanelisiwe Charlie.
Replacements: 16 Luchell Hanekom, 17 Yonela Ngxingolo, 18 Nombuyekezo Mdliki, 19 Vainah Ubisi, 20 Anathi Qolo, 21 Lerato Makua, 22 Catha Jacobs, 23 Eloise Webb.
New Zealand: 15 Renee Holmes, 14 Braxton Sorensen-McGee, 13 Stacey Waaka, 12 Theresa Setefano, 11 Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, 10 Ruahei Demant (co-captain), 9 Maia Joseph, 8 Kaipo Olsen-Baker, 7 Jorja Miller, 6 Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, 5 Alana Bremner, 4 Maiakawanakaulani Roos, 3 Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu, 2 Georgia Ponsonby, 1 Chryss Viliko.
Replacements: 16 Atlanta Lolohea, 17 Awhina Tangen-Wainohu, 18 Kate Henwood, 19 Laura Bayfield, 20 Kennedy Tukuafu (co-captain), 21 Iritana Hohaia, 22 Katelyn Vaha’akolo, 23 Ayesha Leti-I’iga.
Referee: Sara Cox (England)
Assistant referees: Ella Goldsmith (Australia) & Kat Roche (USA)
TMO: Rachel Horton (Australia)
