Four tries in the first fifteen minutes of the second half extinguished South Africa's brave, inaugural quarter-final challenge.
It’s unlikely the Black Ferns have ever faced a team employing 15-woman rolling mauls, a seven-to-one forward split on the bench, and a risk-averse, compact, and direct attack that didn’t see the ball venture beyond second-five.
South Africa's strategy was stunningly effective for the first 40 minutes. The Black Ferns made 141 out of 157 first-half tackles and conceded eight penalties. When tighthead prop Babalwa Latsha muscled over from close range in the 20th minute, the tackle count against the Black Ferns stood at an astonishing 95-3. Black Ferns tighthead Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu had already made 20 out of her 25 match tackles.
However, South Africa's limitations were clearly highlighted in the Black Ferns' seventh try, where seven players expertly handled the ball from one touchline to the other. Fullback Renee Holmes capped off this sumptuous movement, even leaving prolific winger Braxton Sorensen-McGee unmarked.
The opportunity for this expansion came from an Alana Bremner lineout poach. The Canterbury lock, in her 33rd Test, was in the coalface of the forward exchanges, making 20 tackles and securing four lineout catches. Her locking partner, Maia Roos, was just as effective, contributing with 15 tackles, two turnovers, and four lineout catches.
Earlier, South Africa seemed taken aback by Latsha's try. They struggled with their exit strategy due to a poor kick and an overthrown lineout, which nearly allowed Liana Mikaele-Tu'u (24 tackles) to score. The Blues' blindside fumbled while being challenged by Aseza Hele. However, from a five-metre scrum, halfback Maia Joseph charged down a clearance kick, which bounced favorably for Theresa Setefano, enabling her to score her eighth Test try.
After the restart, South Africa found themselves in a tangle behind their own posts, leading to a scrum. Kaipo Olsen-Baker then set up Sorensen-McGee with a routine eight-nine exchange.
South Africa regrouped and, with military precision, pushed forward. In the 39th minute, blindside Sizophila Solontsi managed to wriggle over for a try, bringing the score to 10-10 at halftime.
The Black Ferns caught South Africa off guard at the kickoff in the second half. Ruahei Demant chipped the ball to the ten-meter mark, allowing Stacey Waaka to seize possession, and Holmes benefited from fast handling.
The Black Ferns had found their groove, with the dynamic trio of Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, Jorja Miller, and Ayesha Leti-I'iga combining to assist Sorensen-McGee in scoring her eighth try of the Rugby World Cup.
In her first start of the tournament, No. 8 Olsen-Baker was named Player of the Match. She made a game-high 25 tackles and scored two tries in quick succession, helping to settle the contest. In the 46th minute, she charged from the 22-metre line to halfway. Joseph noticed space and kicked ahead for Sorensen-McGee, who gathered the ball and stumbled five metres out. The Black Ferns regrouped, and Olsen-Baker powered over the line for a try. Her second try was set up by a polished side-to-side attack, featuring a delightful netball-style chest pass from Waaka.
South Africa received a momentary boost from their substitutions, but it was short-lived. Replacement winger Katelyn Vaha'akolo capped off a 36-7 second-half by beating five defenders in a lightning-fast final burst.
The Black Ferns have 114 wins, two draws, and 22 losses out of 138 Test matches. Their Rugby World Cup record stands at 40 wins and only two losses, with 18 consecutive victories in World Cup matches. Referee Sara Cox from England holds the record for officiating the most Rugby World Cup matches.
Black Ferns: 46 (Theresa Setefano, Braxton Sorensen-McGee 2, Renee Holmes 2, Kaipo Olsen-Baker 2, Katelyn Vaha'akolo tries; Holmes con, Sorensen-McGee 2 cons) South Africa: 17 (Babalwa Latsha, Sizophila Solontsi, Lerato Makua tries; Byrhandre Dolf con) HT: 10-10