Black Ferns win into World Cup semifinals
- Dave Worsley
- Sep 14
- 1 min read
Reigning world champions the Black Ferns recovered from a slow start to defeat a intense and innovative South Africa side to secure their place in the Women's Rugby World Cup semifinals
The Springbok Women, appearing in their first quarter-final in the competition, opened the scoring in Exeter through prop Babalwa Latsha.
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The Black Ferns responded through centre Theresa Setefano and teenage wing Braxton Sorensen-McGee, but Aphiwe Ngwevu's try levelled the game at half-time to cap a remarkable first-half performance by South Africa.
However, Allan Bunting's side clicked into gear to score five second-half tries to set up a semi-final against Canada on Friday in Bristol.
Full-back Renee Holmes scored twice, with Sorensen-McGee, the tournament's top try-scorer, and number eight Kaipo Olsen-Baker also grabbing two scores.
South Africa managed to finally cross late in the second half through Lerato Makua to finish off a memorable World Cup campaign on a high.
Replacement Katelyn Vahaakolo was the final try-scorer of an entertaining game at Sandy Park
Black Ferns: 46 (Theresa Setefano, Braxton Sorensen-McGee 2, Renee Holmes 2, Kaipo Olsen-Baker 2, Katelyn Vaha'akolo tries; Holmes con, Sorensen-McGee 2 cons) South Africa: 17 (Babalwa Latsha, Sizophila Solontsi, Lerato Makua tries; Byrhandre Dolf con) HT: 10-10
