The Springbok Women may have been outmuscled and outpaced in Northampton, but they are far from out of the Women’s Rugby World Cup.
Their 57–10 defeat to France at Franklin’s Gardens stung like a crunching tackle, yet coach Swys de Bruin insists the bruises come with lessons and a bigger prize still lies ahead.
Reaction from Swys de Bruin: “We still have a chance to make more history, despite being massive underdogs” – more here: https://t.co/YBirmmKyEl 🗣#BokWomen #RWC2025 #PlusOne pic.twitter.com/jxJZFZhwyu
— SA Women's Rugby (@WomenBoks) September 7, 2025
South Africa’s reward for reaching the knockouts for the first time is a daunting quarter-final against defending champions New Zealand in Exeter on Saturday. A mountain looms, but De Bruin sees the climb as part of the journey.
“France played very well today and we did not,” the coach admitted, tipping his cap to the world’s fourth-ranked side.
“The top four all put 40-plus points on the board this weekend. That gap is real.
“But we rested nine frontline players, they’ll be fresh for New Zealand. Nine others got their first taste of the World Cup’s intensity. That’s an investment in the future.”
France’s pack drove the Boks backwards like a runaway scrum, and clinical finishing meant every loose ball was punished.
A red card added to the weight of the scoreboard, yet South Africa still found the strength to score the final points of the match, a reminder of their stubborn spirit.
“The Black Ferns are a world force,” De Bruin said, “but we’ve faced their next-best side in Cape Town, and that experience will help us.
“Sixteen teams came here, and eight have gone home. We’re still standing. We’re underdogs, yes, but fighters too. That gives us a chance.”
The Boks now shift camp to Exeter, where preparations begin in earnest. A place in the last eight is already historic; a shock against New Zealand would be seismic.
Either way, the Bok Women know that every ruck, every tackle, every hard lesson is another brick in the foundation of their future.
