-
Springboks women on a sports field.
The Springbok women opened their Rugby World Cup campaign on a high note. They humiliated World Cup debutants Brazil 66-6 in a Pool D match in Northampton, England, on Sunday afternoon.
The Brazilians have had the better of the Springboks in 7’s rugby, winning three out of four matches, but this was their first encounter in the 15’s game.
The Boks were knocked out in the Pool stage in the previous World Cup in Australia in 2021.
South Africa started like a house on fire against the lowest-ranked team in the World Cup, South American opponents, with the Boks scoring two quick tries in the first eight minutes.
Nadine Roos registered their first points on the board with a superb try after an assist from number eight Aseza Hele and a few moments later, Hele overpowered the Brazilian players to score her country’s second try.
Brazil opened their account with a penalty from Fly-half Raquel Kochhann to cut the deficit to 12-3, making it their first ever points at the Rugby World Cup.
After a quiet spell, the Boks were on the front foot when Hele used her physicality again to score her second try in the match, while Wing Ayanda Malinga scored her country’s fourth try after a brilliant build-up.
Less than an hour to go and coin toss done and dusted. Brazil to kick to #BokWomen #WRWC2025 pic.twitter.com/orTMU1EPGv
— SA Women’s Rugby (@WomenBoks) August 24, 2025
Half halftime score was 26-3 to South Africa. The Boks were on the score sheet at the beginning of the second half after a great try.
Roos showed enormous skills to outmaneuver many players and was complemented by full back Byhandre Dolf, who laid a pass to Hele, who scored and completed a hat-trick.
The Boks were having a good spell, and it came as no surprise when they added more points on the board.
Liebe Janse Van Rensburg scored a try after a forceful play from Hele, taking on numerous defenders. Shortly after, Van Rensburg managed to score a second try after an offload from Zanele Mpupha.
A conversion from Dolf made it 47-3 to South Africa while Brazil recorded their first points in the second half courtesy of another penalty from Kochhann.
South Africa added more tries from player of the match Aphiwe Ngwevu, Malinga and Lerato Makua, marking the final score at 66-6 for the Boks.
South Africa’s next match will be against Italy next weekend on Sunday.
Aseza Hele scored three of the #BokWomen‘s 10 tries as they opened their #RWC2025 campaign on a high against Brazil in Northampton – match report: 💥#PlusOne pic.twitter.com/oNeLKL7PLl
— SA Women’s Rugby (@WomenBoks) August 24, 2025