France power past Bok Women in RWC pool decider

France showed their class and experience as they beat the Springbok Women by 57-10 (half-time 24-3) in the final pool match of the Women's Rugby World Cup in Northampton on Sunday afternoon.

As a result, the Bok Women will face New Zealand in their quarter-final at Sandy Park in Exeter at 2pm on Saturday afternoon, while France will take on Ireland on Sunday.

The Bok Women entered the last round of pool matches as potential dark horses after two impressive performances against Brazil and, in particular, Italy that seemed to bely their world ranking coming into the tournament.

However, they were given a reality check by the team ranked fourth in the world as the match, which was billed as a pool decider, was effectively over as a contest by half-time as France scored four first-half tries, mixing up their game brilliantly against a SA side that showed wholesale changes from their victory over Italy.

Things were quite evenly poised early on, with France scoring an unconverted try before Byrhandré Dolf (fullback) landed a penalty to make it 5-3.

The French scored a second try but then disaster struck as Chumisa Qawe (centre) was sin-binned for a high tackle, which was upgraded to a 20-minute red card.

With their pack laying the foundation, France added three more tries to their tally in the time South Africa only had 14 players on the field, with their one-on-one tackling not up to scratch as the French found holes in the SA defence through good handling and pace.

The Bok Women's Bomb Squad were sent on early in the second half and although they made a difference, the South Africans failed to capitalise on a handful of opportunities.

Instead, France added two late tries to their tally to push them past 50 points but the last say belonged to Nadine Roos, who was rewarded for a superb performance with a sublime individual try after the buzzer had sounded as the Bok Women refused to give up.

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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)