The Springbok Women will face New Zealand in the World Cup quarter-finals after suffering a heavy defeat to France in their final pool match.
The French ran in nine tries as they hammered the South Africans 57-10 at Franklin’s Gardens on Sunday.
Having secured their first-ever World Cup quarter-final appearance after impressive wins over Brazil and Italy, the Bok Women entered the clash with momentum. But the contest was effectively over by half time as France ran in four tries with a mix of power and precision to expose South Africa’s flaws.
Gabrielle Vernier makes it look easy
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The South Africans’ task became even tougher when centre Chumisa Qawe was shown a 20-minute red card in the first half, and although they were restored to full complement, France maintained their stranglehold, adding five more tries after the break.
There was at least some consolation at the death, when Nadine Roos – comfortably South Africa’s standout performer – sprinted clear to score under the posts with the final play of the game.
Clock in the red, Nadine Roos turns the afterburners on
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The Bok Women’s quarter-final against the Black Ferns will be staged at Sandy Park in Exeter on Saturday.
Photo: Matthew Lewis/Getty Images
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