In New Zealand rugby the female of the species is deadlier then the male. South Africa’s women were always going to struggle to replicate the Springboks’ record-breaking result in Wellington a few hours earlier, but after a stop-start first half the Black Ferns raised their level significantly in the second half to secure their place in next weekend’s World Cup semi-finals.
That said, the final score does not tell the full story of a contest that was often as notable for South African power as belated Kiwi finesse. South Africa, smartly coached and packed with forward muscle, took their opponents on physically in virtually every area and, at 10-10 at half-time, had the Black Ferns genuinely rattled.
