Reaction

The Springbok Women are not proud of their big defeat against France in their final Pool D match of the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup, but there are many positives out of their performance in Northampton on Sunday.

Reaction

Springbok loose forward Kwagga Smith said both him and the entire team were hungry and highly motivated to fight back from their defeat against the All Blacks at Eden Park when the sides cross paths for the second time in a row, in Wellington on Saturday.

Match report

France showed their class and experience as they beat the Springbok Women by 57-10 (half-time 24-3) in the final pool match of the Women's Rugby World Cup in Northampton on Sunday afternoon.

Reaction

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus and captain Jesse Kriel were both bitterly disappointed by the team’s 24-17 defeat against the All Blacks in Auckland on Saturday, which dashed their hopes of beating the hosts for the first time at Eden Park since 1937, and attributed the result to 15 poor minutes of play in the match.

Match report

The All Blacks maintained their cherished 31-year record without defeat at Eden Park in Auckland as two tries conceded by the Springboks in the in the first 17 minutes were the difference between the teams in another fierce contest in wet and greasy conditions.