The Springbok Women dominated the first half and were level at the Black Ferns at the halftime break. However, the Black Ferns used their superior speed to dominate the second half and secured a 39-17 win to proceed to the Women’s Rugby World Cup’s semi-final.
The Sprigboks made a brilliant start, dominating with their big pack and declining several opportunities to convert penalties, which could become costly at the end of this quarter-final. However, despite their complete dominance, they could only score their first try when Babalwa Latsha bulldozed her way over the Black Ferns tryline to lead 05-00 after twenty minutes of play in the first half.
The Black Ferns replied almost immediately following a mistake by the Springboks at a lineout close to their tryline. This was followed by a desperate clearance charged down by Maia Joseph. Theresa Setefano pounced on the ball in the Springboks’ in-goal area to level the scores 05-05.
Two minutes later, the Black Ferns moved the ball wide for winger Braxton Sorensen-McGee to stroll over for the Black Ferns' second try. The Black Ferns led 10-05 with eight minutes still to play in the first half.
With time up on the clock, Sizophila Solontsi forced her way over the tryline to level the scores 10-10. The Springboks used a fifteen-man lineout to create a dominant maul, whereafter they used several pick-and-goes to force their way to the Black Ferns' tryline. Brilliant stuff.
The Black Ferns started the second half like a house on fire, and Renee Holmes and Braxton Sorensen-McGee scored a try each after just five minutes of play to extend the Black Ferns' lead to 20-10.
Therafter, Kaipo Olsen-Baker (2) and Renee Holmes added their names to the scoresheet, before Lerato Makua forced her way over the Black Ferns’ tryline. Byrhandré Dolf converted to cut the Black Ferns’ lead to 39-17.
Caitlan Vaakolo scored the Black Ferns' eighth try to secure a 46-17 win.
Teams:
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 (c), 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 Black Ferns: 15 Renee Holmes, 14 Braxton Sorensen-McGee, 13 Stacey Waaka, 12 Theresa Setefano, 11 Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, 10 Ruahei Demant (cc), 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 (cc), 21 Iritana Hohaia, 22 Amy du Plessis, 23 Ayesha Leti-I’iga.