Black Ferns battle past South Africa to reach Rugby World Cup semifinals
Sunday, 14 September 2025
At Sandy Park, Exeter: Black Ferns 46 (Theresa Setefano 25’, Braxton Sorensen-McGee 29’, 44’, Renee Holmes 41’, 65’, Kaipo Olsen-Baker 47’, 55’, Katelyn Vahaakolo 80’ tries; Holmes, Sorensen-McGee 2 con) South Africa 17 (Babalwa Latsha 20’, Aphiwe Ngwevu 40+2’, Lerato Makua 76’ tries; Byrhandre Dolf con). HT: 10-10.
Braxton Sorensen-McGee scored twice more as the Black Ferns battled past the spirited Springbok women to reach the women’s Rugby World Cup semifinals.
The Black Ferns’ teenage right winger excelled again with her seventh and eighth tries of her remarkable World Cup debut, albeit as the world champions struggled for long spells in beating South Africa 46-17 in Exeter on Sunday (NZ time).
This quarterfinal tie at Sandy Park was a gigantic mismatch, but Allan Bunting’s side were reeling in a first half where the underdogs caused them a mountain of problems.
The Black Ferns were always going to prevail because of their attacking verve and speed. The upset never seemed likely, but they were shambolic at times, bewildered by South Africa’s unorthodox approach in their first World Cup knockout appearance.
A looming semifinal against Canada, who thrashed Australia 46-5 on Sunday morning (NZT), awaits with injury concerns to trouble coach Bunting, too.
They lost Theresa Setefano to a head knock that could leave them short in the midfield, with Sylvia Brunt under concussion protocols and Amy du Plessis (shoulder) ruled out for the tournament.
The Black Ferns were rocked by one of South Africa’s many lineout ploys. The Springbok women were innovative and willing to try anything, even lifting halfback Nadine Roos to gather one throw.
Roos caught it for the most notable move in which all 15 South Africa players lined up for one lineout to launch an onslaught of phases for midfielder Aphiwe Ngwevu’s try, levelling the scores at half-time.
Combined with big carries from the likes of No 8 Aseza Hele, the Black Ferns were frustrated. However, three tries in seven minutes after half-time settled their nerves.
The relief was palpable and celebrated when No 8 Kaipo Olsen-Baker, returning from her injury scare, claimed two tries as the Black Ferns found their attacking grove.
Olsen-Baker’s immense running game countered the South African drive, too, and she looked in powerful form despite an ankle sprain that could have ended her tournament three weeks ago.
Renee Holmes and Sorensen-McGee also crossed in the attacking wave to begin the second half, all starting with Stacey Waaka’s clinical take from a restart from the sevens playbook.
Holmes had a shocking day with the boot (missing five from six conversions) but was again an important cog in the Black Ferns’ attack that punished South Africa’s tiring defence. She actually handed the tee to Sorensen-McGee for two late conversions.
Once they found width, outside backs Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, Waaka and Ayesha Leti-I’iga could motor forward and combine to great effect for 29 unanswered points.
The passes were sticking, Waaka’s offloads were sublime, and Holmes and Katelyn Vahaakolo completed the scoring to some relief.
The Springbok women never gave up, launching their seven forwards off the bench and loose forward Lerato Makua claimed their third try of a proud performance to follow their famous win against Italy in the pool stages.
Ruahei Demant and Woodman-Wickliffe, who might have been expected to run into more space, were scrapping in rucks to win turnovers.
The Black Ferns’ handling was poor and mistakes were constant in a first half other World Cup contenders, such as favourites England and semifinal opponent Canada, will scrutinise intensely.
The response to South Africa’s forceful start was to launch kicks over their defence to gain some territorial advantage, a concession of the struggles they faced in building phases to stretch the Springbok defence.
The Black Ferns didn’t have possession outside of their 22 until the 23rd minute, a victory for the unfancied South Africans. In fact, the six-time champions needed a mistake to get rolling.
Halfback Maia Joseph charged down a clearing kick for Setefano to score and worked a scrum play for Sorensen-McGee’s opener. She was a strong performer in place of Risi Pouri-Lane.
The Black Ferns still couldn’t gain control. Jorja Miller had a tough afternoon at openside flanker and looked baffled when coming off. Her first World Cup had otherwise been a breeze since switching from sevens.
The Springbok women had nothing to lose. Coach Swys de Bruin said they had wildly celebrated their men’s team’s record win over the All Blacks in Wellington beforehand.
They carried that energy into pinning their seemingly superior opposition in their own half from the outset, starving the women in black of the ball.
It was a smart move, made more effective by forcing the Black Ferns to scramble around the breakdown and concede a host of penalties, including a whopping seven in the first 17 minutes.
The South Africans were aggressive and tidy with their set piece and deservedly took the lead with prop Babalwa Latsha’s close-range try.
As Sout Africa played the half of their lives, the Black Ferns’ best resistance was huge tackles from prop Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu.
The big picture
Results are what matter in knockout tournaments and the Black Ferns march on.
France and England are expected to contest the second semifinal on the other side of the draw, assuming they beat Ireland and Scotland in their respective quarterfinals on Monday (NZ time).
What’s next
The Black Ferns will play Canada in the first semifinal in Bristol next Saturday at 6am (NZ time).