New Zealand beats firsttimer South Africa to reach Women's Rugby World Cup semifinals FOSTER NIUMATA September 14, 2025 at 12:24 AM 0 1 / 4RWC New Zealand South Africa RugbyNew Zealand's Kaipo OlsenBaker scores their side's fifth try of the game during the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 quarterfinal m...
- - New Zealand beats first-timer South Africa to reach Women's Rugby World Cup semifinals
FOSTER NIUMATA September 14, 2025 at 12:24 AM
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1 / 4RWC New Zealand South Africa RugbyNew Zealand's Kaipo Olsen-Baker scores their side's fifth try of the game during the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 quarter-final match at Sandy Park, Exeter, England, Saturday Sept. 13, 2025. (Ben Birchall/PA via AP)
New Zealand absorbed its most physical test at the Women's Rugby World Cup by overrunning South Africa 46-17 to reach the semifinals in Exeter on Saturday.
South Africa made no secret of its simple game plan for its first-ever quarterfinal — it was coming hard and direct. And by halftime it was an impressive 10-10 with the six-time world champion Black Ferns, who haven't lost a knockout match in 27 years.
But New Zealand showed its class in the new half; scoring within 37 seconds and rolling home with ultimately a convincing victory by eight tries to three.
The Black Ferns will face Canada or Australia in the semifinals next week.
New Zealand's kick chase, crisp handling and turnover skills overwhelmed the bruising Springbok Women.
No. 8 Kaipo Olsen-Baker was the player of the match, three weeks after she was carried from the field in tears with a serious-looking ankle injury, and Braxton Sorensen-McGee, the Black Ferns' youngest player at 18, extended her tournament lead in tries (eight) and points (52).
The first half was the South Africans' best half in their history. They destroyed New Zealand in the first scrum and showed off a 15-women lineout drive. But it took 20 minutes of huffing and puffing to blow down the New Zealanders' door through prop Babalwa Latsha, the former captain who played professionally in Spain and England.
That inability to be more clinical was laid bare when New Zealand struck twice quickly.
Scrumhalf Maia Joseph charged down flyhalf Libbie Janse van Rensburg for a try by Theresa Setefano, then a kick-chase forced a five-meter scrum and Sorensen-McGee finished a three-on-two untouched.
Just before halftime, South Africa showed innovation again. Scrumhalf Nadine Roos made the catch in a 13-women lineout 30 meters out, then they carried for 16 phases for inside center Aphiwe Ngwevu to crash through and tie the score.
"We wanted to make them feel that we want to be the next generation," Bok No. 8 Aseza Hele said. "It was a good first half and I am super proud of my girls. The next World Cup, I am going to bring specials, we belong here."
Van Rensburg walked off with a thumb up but the promise of a second forward pack of bruisers from a 7-1 bench was blunted by New Zealand's tougher defense and ritzy backs.
The Black Ferns scored in the first minute after Stacey Waaka regained the kickoff and fullback Renee Holmes swept in.
From there New Zealand put on a show, scoring the next three tries from its 22.
Turnovers by lock Maiakawanakaulani Roos led to second tries by Sorensen-McGee and Holmes, and Olsen-Baker got a double. The last try was by Katelyn Vaha'akolo, playing after the tournament-ending injury to South Africa-born Amy du Plessis.
Bok replacement back Lerato Makua scored their third try and 40-year-old captain Nolusindiso Booi greeted the final whistle and the end of her 15-year career with tears and joy.
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