New Zealand beats first-timer South Africa to reach Women’s Rugby World Cup semifinals
New Zealand absorbed its bulk physical test at the Women s Rugby World Cup by overrunning South Africa - to reach the semifinals in Exeter on Saturday South Africa made no secret of its simple tournament plan for its first-ever quarterfinal it was coming hard and direct And by halftime it was an impressive - with the six-time world champion Black Ferns who haven t lost a knockout match in years But New Zealand evidenced its class in the new half scoring within seconds and rolling home with ultimately a convincing win 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 Kaipo Olsen-Baker was the athlete 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 competitor at extended her tournament lead in tries eight and points The first half was the South Africans best half in their history They destroyed New Zealand in the first scrum and indicated off a -women lineout drive But it took 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 rapidly 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 displayed innovation again Scrumhalf Nadine Roos made the catch in a -women lineout meters out then they carried for phases for inside center Aphiwe Ngwevu to crash through and tie the number We needed to make them feel that we want to be the next generation Bok No Aseza Hele announced 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 - 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 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 -year-old captain Nolusindiso Booi greeted the final whistle and the end of her -year career with tears and pleasure AP rugby https apnews com hub rugby Source
