The Springbok Women were in the fight at the break of their Women’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final against New Zealand, but the defending champions pulled away in the second half for a 46-17 victory to end the South African’s campaign at Sandy Park in Exeter, England, on Saturday, 13 September, 2025.
The South Africans can hold their heads high though – after reaching the quarter-finals for the first time ever, they stayed in the fight against a classy Kiwi team and gave it their all.
Both scored two first-half tries as they went into the break with the scores locked at 10-all, but the second half belonged to the Black Ferns.
The South Africans started very well and had the Black Ferns under pressure in the early exchanges. They were finally rewarded when Babalwa Latsha scored after 20 minutes.
New Zealand came back hard with two tries in less than five minutes – by Theresa Setefano and Braxton Sorensen-McGee – as they exploited some errors by the Bok Women, but the last say in the half belonged to Aphiwe Ngwevu, who crashed over after the buzzer.
The Black Ferns got straight back onto the front foot after the break with three tries in the opening seven minutes of the second stanza – by Renee Holmes, Sorenzon-McGee and Kaipo Olsen-Baker – to take a 15-point lead as their experienced showed.
Despite the South African Bomb Squad coming onto the field, the Kiwis kept their feet on the accelerator and Olsen-Baker scored their sixth try in the 55th minute to take a firm grip on the game.
They didn’t let up and after winning a South African lineout on their own 5m line, the Kiwis shifted the ball right to Holmes, who scored her second try.
Yonela Ngxingolo thought she had added her name to the score sheet after the Bok Women finally worked their way into position with some patience on attack, but the TMO ruled obstruction and the try was cancelled.
A few minutes later, Lerato Makua was not going to be denied as she finished off a good spell for the Bok Women with a well-deserved try, but the last say belonged to Katelyn Vahaakolo, who broke through a number of tackles to score the final try of the match.
Springbok Women Rugby World Cup 2025 Pool D Schedule
Sunday 24 August: South Africa 66-6 Brazil
Sunday 31 August: South Africa 29-24 Italy
Sunday 7 September: South Africa 57-10 France
Saturday 13 September: South Africa 17-46 New Zealand
Scorers
Springbok Women 17 (10)
Tries: Babalwa Latsha, Aphiwe Ngwevu, Lerato Makua
Conversion: Byrhandré Dolf
New Zealand 46 (10)
Tries: Theresa Setefano, Braxton Sorensen-McGee (2), Renee Holmes (2), Kaipo Olsen-Baker (2), Katelyn Vahaakolo
Conversions: Holmes, Sorensen-McGee (2)
Springbok Women vs France in Exeter, England, on Saturday, 13 September, 2025
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 Luchell Hanekom
17 Yonela Ngxingolo
18 Nombuyekezo Mdliki
19 Vainah Ubisi
20 Anathi Qolo
21 Lerato Makua
22 Catha Jacobs
23 Eloise Webb
Original Copy: SA Rugby Communications, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: Aphiwe Ngwevu dotted down second for South Africa in a morale-boosting first half in Saturday’s historic Women’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final against New Zealand, before the defending champs pulled away for a big win at Sandy Park in Exeter, England, on Saturday, 13 September, 2025. File Photo: Morgan Harlow / World Rugby via Getty Images
Photo 2 Caption: Scrumhalf Nadine Roos demonstrates her adaptability in a dynamic Rugby Women’s RWC performance. File Photo: Alex Davidson / World Rugby via Getty Images
Photo 3 Caption: Winger Maceala Samboya pushes up the speed dial as she tries to elude Maia Joseph. File Photo: Morgan Harlow / World Rugby via Getty Images
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