France trump Bok Women in last Pool match
MATCH REPORT: The Springbok Women were humbled by the French in their last pool match of the World Cup in England.
The Bok Women were brought down from their euphoria a week ago after France delivered a convincing victory of 57-10. South Africa will meet defending champions New Zealand at Sandy Park next Saturday after finishing second in Pool D.
The vastly experienced French team, ranked fourth in the world, showed calmness and proficiency as they delivered blow after blow.
The French won a penalty at the third scrum, and they opted to find touch on the 22.
France advanced up to the five metres, and the South Africans were defending, and they crashed over. The TMO had a look to see if the player made it. It was not awarded as the ball was lost.
A penalty took them back to the five-metre, they tapped and went, and Emilie Boulard got over in the corner.
The conversion was missed and France were leading 5-0 after ten minutes of play.
A few indiscretions by France saw South Africa advance gradually, and eventually they opted to go for posts, and Byhryandre Dolf secured first three points for the Bok Women after a high tackle.
But France got back into attacking position after an intercept, sending them straight into the Bok 22.
As the scrum was reset, the resounding ‘Bokke, Bokke’ could be heard from the stands.
La Bleue’s centre Gaby Vernier cut an angle and scored their second try, which was converted to stretch their lead to 12-3.
France got into attack mode immediately, sending South Africa scattering, but they managed to keep the fourth-ranked side from the tryline.
A yellow card followed, to Yonela Ngxingolo, who got her marching orders after 24 minutes of play.
Following that, the French quickly advanced back to within metres of the tryline, and Charlotte Escudero got over, which was converted.
With ten minutes left of the first half, La Bleue was leading 19-3.
To add to South Africa’s misery, the yellow card was upgraded to red, and the Bok Women were facing the mighty French with 14 players for 20 minutes.
The French got their fourth try just before halftime. The conversion was wide, but France got their bonus point try in the 37th minute.
At halftime, it was France dominating South Africa with a commanding lead of 24-3.
South Africa had a tough battle ahead heading into the second half.
Errors continued to be the Achilles heel for South Africa.
The French struck first after half-time, scoring their fifth try, Boullard grabbing her second of the match.
Then the Bom Squad entered the fray. Could they make the difference?
South Africa’s numbers at the breakdown immediately improved, but a huge effort was still ahead. They won a scrum penalty as France lost their footing and put them on the front foot, edging them toward the French 22.
But South Africa was scrambling, and La Bleue got over for their fifth try. Their sixth try was on the cards, but the TMO ruled it was a knock-on.
But South Africa were backpaddling most of the game, and France finally got their sixth try, thanks to Annaëlle Deshaye.
The conversion pushed La Bleue further ahead to 43-3.
South Africa finally built a patient attack with pick and goes and found space out wide, but Deshaye made the steal.
Things certainly improved with the introduction of the replacements, but France kept their foot on the pedal.
France again turned defence into attack, and Grisez had too much pace on the outside for her opposite number.
The French were not done yet as Alexandra Chambon raced through and exposed the holes in the South African defence.
The Bok Women finally got a consolation try, thanks to Nadine Roos, who broke through and showed a turn of pace.
But a TMO review looked at possible obstruction by Aphiwe Ngwevu, but the try stood, to the delight of the crowd.
The Bok Women’s biggest weapon, their scrum, was neutralised by France; their defence was lacking, as well as their support play and poor handling skills.
Player of the Match: Pauline Bourdon, France’s scrumhalf, showed why she is regarded as France’s best female player. Not only did she score two tries, but she was also busy in defence and quick on attack with her snipes and speed around the rucks and scrums.
Scorers:
For South Africa:
Tries: Roos
Cons: Dolf
Pens: Dolf
For France:
Tries: Boulard 2, Vernier, Escudero, Sochat, Grisez 2, Deshaye, Chambon
Cons: Queyroi 2, Bourgeois 3
Red card: Yonela Ngxingolo ( South Africa, 24’ – high tackle)
Teams
France: 15 Emilie Boulard, 14 Joanna Grisez, 13 Nassira Konde, 12 Gaby Vernier, 11 Marine Ménager, 10 Lina Queyroi, 9 Pauline Bourdon Sansus, 8 Charlotte Escudero, 7 Lea Champon, 6 Axelle Berthoumieu, 5 Madoussou Fall Raclot, 3 Rose Bernadou, 2 Agathe Gerin, 1 Yllana Brosseau
Replacements: 16 Elisa Riffonneau, 17 Annaëlle Deshaye, 18 Assia Khalfaoui, 19 Hina Ikahehegi, 20 Taïna Maka, 21 Séraphine Okemba, 22 Alexandra Chambon, 23 Morgane Bourgeois
South Africa: 15 Byrhandré Dolf, 14 Jakkie Cilliers, 13 Eloise Webb, 12 Chumisa Qawe, 11 Maceala Samboya, 10 Mary Zulu, 9 Nadine Roos, 8 Aseza Hele, 7 Catha Jacobs, 6 Lerato Makua, 5 Anathi Qolo, 4 Vainah Ubisi, 3 Babalwa Latsha (captain), 2 Micke Gunter, 1 Yonela Ngxingolo.
Replacements: 16 Luchell Hanekom, 17 Xoliswa Khuzwayo, 18 Nombuyekezo Mdliki, 19 Nomsa Mokwai, 20 Faith Tshauke, 21 Sinazo Mcatshulwa, 22 Tayla Kinsey, 23 Aphiwe Ngwevu.
Referee: Clara Munarini (Italy)
Assistant referees: Lauren Jenner (Italy), Jess Ling (Australia)
TMO: Rachel Horton (Australia)
