Black Ferns beat South Africa to reach semis

3 hours ago 2

ByAlastair Telfer

BBC Sport journalist at Sandy Park, Exeter

Women's Rugby World Cup - quarter-final

New Zealand (10) 46

Tries: Setefano, Sorensen-McGee 2, Holmes 2, Olsen-Baker 2, Vahaakolo Cons: Holmes, Sorensen-McGee 2

South Africa (10) 17

Tries: Latsha, Ngwevu, Makua Con: Dolf

World champions New Zealand recovered from a slow start to defeat a spirited South Africa side and seal their spot in the Women's Rugby World Cup semi-finals.

The Springbok Women, appearing in their first Women's World Cup quarter-final, opened the scoring in Exeter through prop Babalwa Latsha.

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 off 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 either Canada or Australia, who play later on Saturday, 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.

More to follow.

Line-ups

New Zealand: Holmes; Sorensen-McGee, Waaka, Setefano, Woodman-Wickliffe; Demant (co-capt), Joseph; Viliko, Ponsonby, Mahutariki-Fakalelu, Roos, Bremner, Mikaele-Tu'u, Miller, Olsen-Baker.

Replacements: Lolohea, Tangen-Wainohu, Henwood, Bayfield, Tukuafu (co-capt), Hohaia, Vahaakolo, Leti-I'iga.

South Africa: Dolf; Samboya, Mpupha, Ngwevu, Malinga; Van Rensburg, Roos; Charlie, Gwala, Latsha, Booi (capt), Lochner, Solontsi, Mcatshulwa, Hele.

Replacements: Hanekom, Ngxingolo, Mdliki, Ubisi, Qolo, Makua, Jacobs, Webb.