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, 7 September 2025.
As a result, the Bok Women will face New Zealand in their quarter-final at Sandy Park in Exeter at 14h00 next Saturday afternoon, while France will take on Ireland on Sunday.
“France played very well today, and we did not,” said SA coach Swys de Bruin. “We came up against a very good pack, and they dominated us. I did not expect that.”
“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.”
Springbok Women Head Coach, Swys de Bruin
“There are positives though,” countered De Bruin. “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.”
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 France as the match, which was billed as a pool decider, was effectively over as a contest by half-time as the Europeans 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 goal 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, and with their one-on-one tackling not up to scratch, 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.
Springbok Women Rugby World Cup 2025 Pool D Results
Sunday 24 August: South Africa 66-6 Brazil
Sunday 31 August: South Africa 29-24 Italy
Sunday 7 September: SA 57-10 France
Scorers
South Africa 10 (3) – Try: Nadine Roos
Conversion: Byrhandré Dolf
Penalty goal: 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 vs France in Northampton on Sunday, 7 September 2025
15 Byrhandré Dolf
14 Jakkie Cilliers
13 Eloise Webb
12 Chumisa Qawe
11 Maceala Samboya
10 Mary Zulu
9 Nadine Roos
8 Aseza Hele
7 Catha Jacobs
6 Lerato Makua
5 Anathi Qolo
4 Vainah Ubisi
3 Babalwa Latsha (captain)
2 Micke Gunter
1 Yonela Ngxingolo
Replacements
16 Luchell Hanekom
17 Xoliswa Khuzwayo
18 Nombuyekezo Mdliki
19 Nomsa Mokwai
20 Faith Tshauke
21 Sinazo Mcatshulwa
22 Tayla Kinsey
23 Aphiwe Ngwevu
Original Copy: SA Rugby Communications, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: France’s Nassira Konde of France is tackled by Vainah Ubisi and Nadine Roos during the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 Pool D match in Northampton, England, on 7 September, 2025. Photo: Morgan Harlow – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images
Photo 2 Caption: Byrhandre Dolf slots a penalty goal against France at Franklin’s Gardens on Sunday. Photo: Morgan Harlow – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images
