RECAP: South Africa v Brazil
READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Rugby World Cup 2025 Round One encounter between South Africa and Brazil in Northampton.
Nolusindiso Booi, who captained the Springbok Women at the previous tournament in New Zealand in 2022, is also South Africa’s most experienced Test captain, having led the side in 23 Tests.
* To read our pre-match predictions, CLICK HERE!
FULL TIME
South Africa 66-6 Brazil
80+ mins: Try ruled out for South Africa
Ayanda Malinga nearly gets her hat-trick with a superb solo effort as she beats everyone for pace on the outside from her own half, but an earlier obstruction means it won’t stand.
79 mins: South Africa 66-6 Brazil
Dolf converts another tough conversion.
78 mins: Try for South Africa
After a try saving tackle by Bianca Silva on the 5m line, Brazil miss their jumpers in the ensuing lineout, allowing Lerato Makua an easy try.
75 mins: South Africa 59-6 Brazil
Dolf’s conversion scrapes off the inside of the post to add the two points.
74 mins: South Africa score!
Great hands from a goal line dropout sees Ayanda Malinga cross the line in the corner for her second try of the match.
72 mins: Brazil steal the ball
A good attack by South Africa sees them approach the try line, but a good steal and clearance from Brazil means they’ll have to start over.
68 mins: Penalty to South Africa
The Bok Women pack again proves too strong for Brazil as they earn a penalty inside their own half. Libbie Janse van Rensburg boots it long downfield, setting up an attacking lineout on the opposition 22m.
62 mins: South Africa 52-6 Brazil
Dolf just misses the conversion to the left from near the corenr.
61 mins: Try for South Africa
Aphiwe Ngwevu goes over from close range for the try.
56 mins: South Africa 47-6 Brazil
After being awarded a penalty, Raquel Kochhann thumps it over from 40m out!
52 mins: South Africa 47-3 Brazil
Dolf converts another.
51 mins: Try time South Africa
A great transition from attack to defence as South Africa start the attack from inside their own half. Libbie Janse van Rensburg finishes it off for her second try of the match.
49 mins: South Africa unleash the bomb squad
A familiar sight in rugby as South Africa bring on nearly their entire bench in one go!
48 mins: South Africa 40-3 Brazil
Dolf adds the extras.
47 mins: South Africa score again!
Libbie Janse van Rensburg goes over from close range to extend the lead even further.
45 mins: Nearly again by Roos!
Roos is on fire! She finds a gap around the ruck and gives a nearly identical kick in behind, but it just beaten for pace by Raquel Kochhann.
43 mins: South Africa 33-3 Brazil
Dolf converts the try.
42 mins: Try time South Africa!
Nadine Roos produces a moment of magic on the counter attack! Starting from just outside her own 22m, she beats two defenders before chipping in behind. Dolf gathers it, but offloads to Aseza Hele to score her hat-trick under the posts.
40 mins: Second half underway
Libbie Janse van Rensburg gets the action back underway.
HALF TIME
South Africa 26-3 Brazil
40+ mins: South Africa score
Some slick hands and pure pace from Ayanda Malinga sees South Africa cross the line for their fourth try.
35 mins: Nearly for South Africa
Malinga nearly scores off a Libbie Janse van Rensburg grubber kick in behind the defence, but is beaten to it by Edna Santini.
30 mins: South Africa 19-3 Brazil
Dolf adds the extras.
28 mins: Try time South Africa!
Brazil are made to defend wave after wave of carries and the dam wall eventually breaks as Aseza Hele barges over for her second try of the match.
24 mins: Penalty to Brazil
South Africa are being made to work today, as Brazil again win a turnover in their red zone.
18 mins: Big scrum by South Africa
The Bok Women show immense power as they power over their opposition, but make another handling error after. They clearly have the upper hand in the power department.
13 mins: South Africa held up
Mcatshulwa powers her way over the line, but can’t get the ball down.
9 mins: South 12-3 Brazil
Raquel Kochhann converts a penalty to get her side on the scoreboard.
8 mins: South Africa 12-0 Brazil
Dolf just pushes the kick to the right.
7 mins: South Africa score
South Africa have the lineout and while Brazil do well to stop the rolling maul, Aseza Hele breaks off and steam rolls her way over the line.
5 mins: South Africa’s try ruled out
Malinga nearly goes over in the corner, but is tackled just short of the line. Babalwa Latsha scores shortly after, but Malinga had a foot ever so slightly on the line.
3 mins: South African 7-0 Brazil
Dolf adds the extras.
2 mins: Try time South Africa!
Aseza Hele picks up a loose ball and gets the offload away to Nadine Roos, who scores under the posts to open the scoring.
Kick-off!
We are underway at Franklin’s Garden in Northampton.
Teams and match officials:
Springbok Women: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 (vice-captain), 2 Lindelwa Gwala, 1 Sanelisiwe Charlie
Replacements: 16 Micke Gunter, 17 Yonela Ngxingolo, 18 Nombuyekezo Mdliki, 19 Vainah Ubisi, 20 Lerato Makua, 21 Catha Jacobs, 22 Unam Tose, 23 Jakkie Cilliers
Brazil: 15 Bianca Silva, 14 Giovanna Barth Moreira, 13 Marina Fioravanti, 12 Mariana Nicolau, 11 Edna Santini, 10 Raquel Kochhann, 9 Aline Mayumi Bednarski, 8 Camilla Carvalho, 7 Larissa Alves Carvalho, 6 Larissa Fernanda LIma Silva Hendwood, 5 Marcelle da Cruz de Souza, 4 Eshyllen Coimbra, 3 Tais Gomes da Costa Prioste, 2 Julia Leni de Lima, 1 Franciele Barros
Replacements: 16 Isabela Gomes Saccomanno, 17 Samara Vergara, 18 Giovana Mamede, 19 Dayana Dakar, 20 Leticia Silva Ferreira, 21 Luiza Gonzalez da Costa Campos, 22 Fernanda Tenorio, 23 Isadora Lopes
Referee: Hollie Davidson (Scotland)
Assistant referees: Holly Wood (England), Jess Ling (Australia)
TMO: Ian Tempest (England)
