The Springbok Women team demonstrated powerful play, which led to Lindelwe Gwala's try in the first half. However, the Black Ferns managed to withstand the pressure and secured a confident victory with a score of 52-20 at the FNB stadium in Soweto.
On Saturday at the FNB stadium, the Springbok Women team had a great opportunity to change the course of the match against the Black Ferns but failed to capitalize on the numerical advantage and suffered a 52-20 defeat to the New Zealand team.
Throughout the week, South Africa discussed the need to show 80 minutes of play against the Black Ferns, who are ranked second, following their 46-17 loss in last year's World Cup quarter-final.
This match, which served as a preliminary event before the third test match in the greatest rivalry series between the Springboks and the All Blacks, attracted a significant number of spectators to the 80,000-capacity arena.
At halftime, the Black Ferns led 24-10, taking advantage of two defensive errors due to their speed. Nevertheless, South Africa began playing aggressively after the break.
A powerful defensive scrum reduced the early pressure, after which the Bok Women returned to their rolling maul, which was already an effective attacking weapon in the first half of the match.
New Zealand repeatedly infringed against this moving maul, and captain Georgia Ponsonby eventually received a yellow card after being involved in another lineout drive.
Springbok Women immediately capitalized on this moment. The Black Ferns scored two late tries in the first half, giving them a 14-point lead at the FNB stadium.
When the Black Ferns were down by 14 points, South Africa advanced toward the line, and Wynah Ubisi managed to ground the ball in the 49th minute, reducing the deficit to 24-15.
The hosts then received an even bigger opportunity when Aisha Leti-I'iga was also sent off, leaving New Zealand with only 13 players. At that moment, South Africa had momentum, territorial advantage, and a two-player advantage. This was a moment that could have changed the entire game. However, the Black Ferns turned the tide of the match.
Clumsy passes and defensive errors from the Bok Women allowed Maia Joseph to score the decisive try, despite New Zealand playing short-handed. And before South Africa could recover, the Black Ferns attacked again. They broke through the South African defense in an exciting episode, and Elinor-Plum King scored her second try, increasing the lead to 38-15 with 20 minutes left in the match.
This sequence was particularly damaging as it occurred when South Africa should have been applying constant pressure on the weakened New Zealand side.
The Black Ferns demonstrated their class by securing a good victory over the brave BokWomen team at the FNB stadium.
It also brought back unpleasant memories of the World Cup quarter-final in Exeter, where the Bok Women fought well for half the match before the Black Ferns managed to pull away.
There were positive aspects for South Africa, especially in attack. Their scrum constantly created problems, and the rolling maul was one of the most effective attacking weapons on the field. Lindelwe Gwala scored a try from the maul in the first half, and Ubisi added two tries, while the forwards continued to succeed near the line.
However, New Zealand's ability to exploit errors proved decisive. The Black Ferns defended resolutely while South Africa attacked in waves, before demonstrating their own ruthlessness once the game opened up. Amarante Sititi and Mama Mo'onia Waipulu scored additional tries, and a superb save by Brandi Dolf prevented a hat-trick for Braxton Sorensen-McGee.
Ubisi's second try was a late consolation, but by then the outcome was clear. For the Springbok Women, the defeat would be painful because of what could have happened.
Score breakdown:
Springbok Women: 20 (10) — Tries by Lindelwe Gwala, Afife Ngvevu, Wynah Ubisi (2). Black Ferns: 52 (24) — Elinor-Plum King, Braxton Sorensen-McGee (2), Waisinia Mahatariki-Fakalelu, Maia Joseph, Amarante Sititi, Mama Mo'onia Waipulu. Conversions: Hannah King, Sorensen-McGee (5).