Bok Women still have eyes on the bigger picture

The Springbok Women are not proud of their big defeat against France in their final Pool D match of the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup but there are many positives out of their performance in Northampton on Sunday.

That is the view of SA head coach Swys de Bruin after his side suffered a disappointing 57-10 defeat to the French at Franklin’s Gardens and in the process lined up a quarter-final against defending champions, New Zealand in Exeter on Saturday.

“France played very well today and we did not,” said De Bruin.

“The reality is that they are ranked fourth in the world and that showed. In fact, the top four sides in the world all scored 40 or more points to win their final pool matches this weekend, which shows the gap between them and the rest right now.

“There are positives though. We rested nine frontline players and they will be ready and fresh for New Zealand next week. Today also exposed nine players to the harsh realities of what World Cups are all about. One can look at that as an investment into the future.”

De Bruin was concerned about a number of areas of this team’s play: “We came up against a very good pack and they dominated us. I did not expect that.

“They were very clinical and scored from every opportunity, while our inability to protect our ball also handed them easy points. The red card we received also did not make things easier, but despite all of that, we have something to work with this week.”

The SA coach said they have massive respect for the Black Ferns, who beat Ireland by 40-0 in their final pool match but having played New Zealand’s next best side in Cape Town last month will help them in preparing for the quarter-final, the first time they will contest the knock-out stages in the tournament.

“Sixteen teams arrived here and eight are on their way home,” said De Bruin.

“We still have a chance to make more history, despite being massive underdogs. As you saw against France, our girls never gave up and scored the last points of the match. That fighting spirit is something that will always give us a chance.”

The team will travel to Exeter on Monday and have their first training session on Tuesday.

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At the end of a hugely competitive third match round, in which eight games have been played across the length and breadth of England in York, Northampton, Exeter and Brighton, the pools are complete and the four quarter-finals confirmed at Women's Rugby World Cup 2025.

Quarter-final 1: New Zealand v South Africa

New Zealand capped off an unbeaten campaign in Pool C with a 40-0 victory over Ireland in Brighton. Played in front of a packed out 30 017 crowd at Brighton & Hove Albion Stadium, the win confirmed New Zealand top of the pool and they will play South Africa, who finish runners-up in Pool D after suffering their first loss of the tournament, going down 57-10 against France in front of 13 268 fans in Northampton.

Quarter-final 1 will be played at Exeter's Sandy Park at 1pm on Saturday (local time).

Quarter-final 2: Canada v Australia

Canada finished top in Pool B by beating Scotland and Australia finished runners-up in Pool A after their 47-7 loss to England.

Quarter-final 2 will be played at 4pm on Saturday as Bristol's Ashton Gate stages its first match of Women's RWC 2025.

Quarter-final 3: France v Ireland

With a final pool win against South Africa to follow earlier victories against Italy and Brazil, France top pool D. They will play Pool C runners-up Ireland, who finished their Pool C campaign with a 40-0 loss to defending champions New Zealand in Brighton.

Quarter-final 3 will be played at 1pm on Sunday at Exeter's Sandy Park.

Quarter-final 4: England v Scotland

By beating Australia 47-7 in front of a sell-out crowd at Brighton & Hove Albion Stadium, England finished top of Pool A and will take on Pool B runners-up Scotland. The Scots finished second in Pool B after their hard-fought 40-19 loss to world No 2 side Canada.

Quarter-final 4 will be played at Bristol's Ashton Gate at 4pm on Sunday.

Score

Springbok Women 10 (3) - Try: Nadine Roos. Conversion: Byrhandré Dolf. Penalty: Dolf.

France 57 (24) - Tries: Emilie Boulard (2), Gaby Vernier, Charlotte Escudero, Agathe Gerin, Joanna Grisez (2), Annaelle Deshaye, Alexandra Chambon. Conversions: Lina Queyroi (2), Morgane Bourgeois (4).

Springbok Women 2025 Rugby World Cup squad

Props: Sanelisiwe Charlie, Xoliswa Khuzwayo, Yonela Ngxingolo, Babalwa Latsha, Nombuyekezo Mdliki.

Hookers: Micke Gunter, Lindelwa Gwala, Luchell Hanekom.

Locks: Nolusindiso Booi (captain), Danelle Lochner, Nomsa Mokwai, Anathi Qolo, Vainah Ubisi.

Utility and loose forwards: Aseza Hele, Catha Jacobs, Lerato Makua, Sinazo Mcatshulwa, Sizophila Solontsi, Faith Tshauke.

Scrumhalves: Unam Tose, Tayla Kinsey.

Flyhalves: Libbie Janse van Rensburg, Mary Zulu.

Centres: Zintle Mpupha, Aphiwe Ngwevu, Chumisa Qawe, Eloise Webb.

Outside backs: Jakkie Cilliers, Ayanda Malinga, Maceala Samboya.

Utility backs: Byrhandré Dolf, Nadine Roos.

Pool D schedule (SA times)

Sunday 24 August

3.45pm: SA v Brazil (Franklin’s Gardens, Northampton) - SA won 66-6

Sunday 31 August

4.30pm: SA v Italy (York Community Stadium, York) - SA won 29-24

Sunday 7 September

5.45pm: SA v France (Franklin’s Gardens, Northampton) - France won 57-10

Quarter-final 1: New Zealand v South Africa - Sandy Park at 1pm on Saturday (local time)

Quarter-final 2: Canada v Australia - Ashton Gate at 4pm on Saturday (local time)

Quarter-final 3: France v Ireland - Sandy Park at 1pm on Sunday (local time)

Quarter-final 4: England v Scotland - Ashton Gate at 4pm on Sunday (local time)

The Rugby World Cup quarter-finals will be played on the weekend of 13/14 September, with the semi-finals on 19/20 September and the final on Saturday, 27 September.

Team Management

Swys de Bruin (head coach)

Laurian Johannes-Haupt (assistant coach)

Bafana Nhleko (assistant coach)

Franzel September (assistant coach)

Naasier Parker (strength and conditioning coach)

Zenay Jordaan (World Rugby Gallagher High Performance Academy coach)

Moshe Magethi (team doctor)

Neda Isaacs (physiotherapist)

Lezane Ward (physiotherapist)

Thandiswa Nxomani (team manager)

JJ Harmse (media manager)

Zwonaka Mbedzi (analyst)

Thembisa Nxopo (operations)