#RWC2025 Round Two highlights: South Africa steal the show
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Seven teams have booked their places in the Women’s World Cup quarterfinals after some exciting pool matches in Round Two.
Canada, Scotland, and England qualified on Saturday, while Ireland, France, New Zealand, and South Africa booked their play-off spots on Sunday.
Expected contenders and a surprise Package
It was no surprise to see Canada, England, France, Ireland, and New Zealand progress. Scotland’s win over Wales in the opening round also boosted their chances of reaching the knockout stage.
But South Africa emerged as the surprise package of the tournament.
Heading into the showpiece in England, the Springbok Women ranked 12th in the world with few expecting them to cause any upsets.
While belief ran strong within South Africa that the team could pull off something special, outside the country – particularly in Europe – most backed Italy to progress.
Fresh off a 0-24 defeat to France, Italy’s mission was clear: beat South Africa, then Brazil, and secure a quarterfinal berth.
But the South Africans had other ideas.
The Springbok Women, coached by Swys de Bruin, opened their World Cup with a 66-6 win over Brazil, scoring 10 tries in that game.
But it seems they were far from done, as the Springbok Women produced a massive upset, beating Italy 29-24 in the Second Round.
It was their first win against a team in the top 10 of the world rankings.
The Springbok Women dominated from the kick-off thanks to their strong pack.
They scored within the first minute of the game, with No. 8 Aseza Hele powering over the line after an incredible scrum.
The Bok Women continued their dominance, taking a 17-12 lead at the break.
Italy levelled matters twice, before flank Sinazo Mcatshulwa scored the winning try in the closing stages.
The other Pool D action saw France progress thanks to an 84-5 win over Brazil.
South Africa will take on France in the final pool match.
De Bruin’s side is currently top of Pool D on 10 points, with France one place behind on nine. So, in the event of a draw, the South Africans would top the pool even if the French secured a try bonus point.
The Springboks will either face Ireland or New Zealand in the quarterfinals.
*Article continues below…
All to play for in Pool A
England are currently on top of the pool after back-to-back wins over the USA and Samoa.
The tournament favourites and hosts – the Red Roses – recorded a 92-3 win over Samoa in Round Two at Northampton.
However, who joins them still needs to be decided.
The USA and Australia are fighting hard for a spot in the quarterfinals.
The two teams battled tooth and nail at the York Community Stadium on Saturday, with the USA knowing a defeat would send them home, and Australia knowing a win would keep their hopes of reaching the quarterfinals alive.
It was a grueling encounter in which both sides scored five tries apiece. Brilliant doubles for Australian backline stars Desiree Miller and teenager Caitlyn Halse were countered by a superb hat-trick from American flanker Freda Tafuna.
With the match in the balance, replacement prop Eva Karpani powered over for the Aussies’ fifth try with five minutes left to level the scores at 31-all.
The draw means that both teams are still in the hunt, with Australia facing England, while the USA play Samoa.
Australia currently look to be just about in the driving seat, as they have a 135-point difference advantage over the USA. But if they suffer a massive defeat to England and the Americans steamroll the exhausted Samoans, that could be overturned.
However, Australia’s fate is in their own hands if they can grab a bonus point against the English in Brighton.
*Article continues below…
The quiet assassin
Canada continue to make big strides at the World Cup.
They recorded a 42-0 win over Wales in Salford on Saturday.
Wales made an encouraging start against Canada, ranked second in the world, but were still 0-28 behind just after half an hour thanks to McKinley Hunt’s two tries and one each for Alysha Corrigan and Asia Hogan-Rochester.
Taylor Perry and Brittany Kassil crossed Wales’ try-line after half-time, when Georgia Evans was yellow-carded. Sophie de Goede converted all six tries.
Canada will take on Scotland in the final pool match to determine the top seed in the group.
The winner of the group will likely avoid England in the quarterfinals.
*Article continues below…
The Woodman-Wickliffe effect
The day after Jess Breach’s hat-trick for England in their record 92-3 win against Samoa took her past the 50-try mark, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe became the first New Zealand player to reach the treasured milestone, breaking Doug Howlett’s longstanding record by crossing for her side’s first try against Japan.
While at times Japan had the Black Ferns truly rattled, the defending champions showed their class in a 62-19 win.
The Black Ferns will take on Ireland in the final pool match, while Japan face Samoa.
