South Africa in opposition to Brazil at Girls’s Rugby World Cup 2025 in England (Courtesy of World Rugby).
South Africa meet Italy on Sunday, August 31 at 16:30 (CAT) / 15:30 (BST) in a must-win Pool D showdown.
Carrying the hopes of the African continent, South Africa opened their Girls’s Rugby World Cup 2025 marketing campaign with a dominant 66–6 win over Brazil in Pool D on Sunday, August 24.
The outcome not solely delivered the Springbok Girls their first World Cup win in 14 years but additionally underlined their intent, as they ran in ten tries in opposition to the South American debutants. Traditionally, South Africa’s presence on the World Cup has typically been symbolic. This time, they despatched a transparent message: they belong.
The Springbok Girls used their expertise to show the hole in school between them and Brazil, decisively overcoming the Yaras, the primary South American staff to compete in a Rugby World Cup.
Their subsequent take a look at comes on Sunday, August 31, in opposition to Italy, who had been overwhelmed 24–0 by match favourites France of their opening match. The Azzurri have historical past on their aspect, having received each earlier encounters with South Africa together with a tense 23–19 victory in Cape City in 2024. As seasoned Six Nations contenders, Italy enter the conflict as favourites, however South Africa will take confidence from that slender defeat and their resurgent kind.
Since solely the highest two from every pool advancing, this recreation has knockout implications. The winner will safe a spot within the quarter-finals.
Whereas some might downplay the Boks’ conquer World Cup newcomers Brazil, one factor is for certain: in sports activities, you may solely play whoever is in entrance of you. Their medical efficiency in opposition to Brazil was matched by a present of grit and aggression, making this upcoming match one to look at as girls’s rugby continues to draw new followers globally.
An ideal instance got here within the dying moments, when Lerato Makua pounced on a free Brazilian lineout to attain South Africa’s tenth strive, resisting the temptation to easily run down the clock. It was a second that spoke volumes in regards to the staff’s starvation.
Towards Italy, the problem will shift from assault to defence. The Italians know defeat would finish their marketing campaign, lowering their closing group match in opposition to Brazil to a formality. They are going to be determined to achieve a second consecutive World Cup quarter-final, whereas South Africa are chasing historical past with their first.
This match will most definitely be decided on the breakdown. The Italians will certainly want to enhance their ball safety, in comparison with their efficiency in opposition to France, the place they misplaced 18 turnovers and solely secured 4. Nonetheless, they confirmed self-discipline, conceding few penalties, and pissed off the French for the opening 20 minutes earlier than fading. Nevertheless their line out was shaky, one thing the Springbok Girls will certainly goal.
If Italy’s forwards can present a platform, their thrilling younger backline that includes skills like Alyssa D’Inca, Aura Muzzo, and Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi will take a look at South Africa’s defence in methods Brazil by no means may.
For the Springbok Girls, the duty is obvious: harness the momentum of their historic win, match Italy’s depth, and take one large step towards a World Cup quarter-final.
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DISCLAIMER: The Views, Feedback, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform don’t essentially symbolize the views or coverage of Multimedia Group Restricted.
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