Springbok Women
Springbok Women bowed out of the Rugby World Cup with heads held high after a 46-17 quarter-final loss to the New Zealand Black Ferns at Sandy Park on Saturday, showcasing grit against the defending champions in a match that marked their historic first appearance in the knockout stages.
The South African side, ranked 12th entering the tournament, stunned the rugby world by reaching the top eight for the first time, playing breathtaking rugby in pool wins over Brazil and Italy before holding the formidable Kiwis to a 10-10 halftime deadlock. Despite a second-half blitz from New Zealand that sealed the result, Bok Women head coach Swys de Bruin praised his team’s performance as a milestone that inspires future growth.
Brave First Half Keeps Black Ferns on Their Toes
The quarter-final clash at Exeter’s Sandy Park on 13 September 2025 saw the Springbok Women start with fire, matching the Black Ferns’ intensity in a tense opening 40 minutes. South Africa struck first through prop Babalwa Latsha, who powered over from a rolling maul after clever lineout variations baffled the New Zealand defence. Byrhandré Dolf added the conversion, putting the Boks ahead 7-5 early on.
New Zealand responded with a try from wing Katelyn Vahaakolo, but South Africa refused to buckle. Aphiwe Ngwevu dotted down just before the break, levelling the scores at 10-10 and sending shockwaves through the rugby community. The Boks’ tactics, including a two-player lineout followed by a full 15-player maul, disrupted the Kiwis’ rhythm and highlighted the South Africans’ innovative approach against a team boasting multiple World Cup titles.
“We did some unconventional things today, yes, but we had to try and think out of the box a bit,” De Bruin said post-match. “Our two-player lineout, followed by a 15-player lineout, certainly had New Zealand baffled, and we could score two very good tries against them in the first half.”
The halftime scoreline reflected South Africa’s growth, a far cry from their previous World Cup records where they had won just three of 18 matches. Their path to the quarters included a dominant 52-6 win over Brazil on 24 August 2025 and a hard-fought 31-8 victory against Italy, blending physical forward play with slick backline moves.
Second-Half Surge Sees Black Ferns Pull Away
The Black Ferns, however, showed their class after the restart, scoring three quick tries to break the game open. Wing Ayesha Leti-I’iga crossed twice, while flanker Kaipo Olsen-Baker and fullback Renee Holmes added to the tally, pushing New Zealand to a commanding lead. South Africa fought back with a late try from Lerato Makua, converted by Dolf, but it was not enough as the Kiwis ran in further scores from Liana Mikaele-Tu’u and Charmaine Smith to seal 46-17.
The final margin did not reflect the Boks’ resilience, as they refused to fold against a side that has won six of the nine Women’s Rugby World Cups. “Unfortunately, we conceded three quick tries after the break, and the game got away from us, but this team refused to stop fighting and added another try, which was yet another milestone for us,” De Bruin reflected.
Captain Nolusindiso Booi, in her fourth World Cup, echoed the pride. “We really had them confused at the end of the first half with our tactics, and they did not have all the answers to combat our mauls with so many players in it, for example,” she said. “The quality team they are, they did outplay us in the second half and deserved to win, but I know we left nothing out there, and every player should be proud of what they did out there today.”
Legacy of Progress: From Underdogs to Top Eight Contenders
Despite the defeat, the Springbok Women’s campaign in England 2025 stands as a breakthrough. Entering as underdogs, they exited as a top-eight side, winning hearts with their fearless play. “What a performance by this team, coming into the tournament ranked 12th in the world and leaving it as one of the top eight sides,” De Bruin said. “Off the field, the players did really well, and it is such a blessing to be part of this team and their journey. A lot of good things came from this World Cup, and the amount of messages of support was incredible. They certainly won the hearts of many.”
The tournament highlighted squad depth, with standouts like Latsha’s leadership in the forwards and Ngwevu’s speed on the wing. Booi, at 35, embodied the team’s spirit, leading by example in a campaign that included bonus-point wins and tactical innovation. “We are leaving the tournament with our heads held high,” she affirmed.
South Africa’s women rugby programme has grown steadily since their 2014 World Cup return, with increased funding from SA Rugby boosting preparation. This 2025 run, including a warm-up 41-24 win over a Black Ferns XV in August, signals rising competitiveness, setting sights on the 2029 edition in Australia.
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