New Zealand come into their quarter-final against South Africa as one of the form teams looking to go all the way. A sweep of pool-stage victories against Spain, Japan, and Ireland gave the Black Ferns top seeding in Pool C, and they will feel primed to go all the way as they go on the hunt for a seventh Women’s Rugby World Cup title. They have a wealth of squad depth at their disposal, including young sensations Jorja Miller and Braxton Sorensen-McGee, as well as a legend of the game in the form of Portia Woodman-Wickliffe.
South Africa, meanwhile, are appearing in their first ever quarter-final of a Women’s World Cup after they registered victories over Brazil and Italy in the first two rounds of their campaign. They lost to France in their final match of the pool stage, but won’t be dwelling on that as they look to make further history with a place in the semi-finals. They are captained by second-row Nolusindiso Booi, while Libbie Janse van Rensburg and live-wire scrum-half Nadine Roos will be pulling the strings for the Women Boks in Exeter.
Kick-off: 13:00 BST, Saturday, 13 September
Venue: Sandy Park, Exeter
If you have a ticket already, make sure you read Emily Tuttosi’s top tips for a great time in Exeter!
Want to go to the game but don’t have a ticket yet? Head here to get a last-minute deal.
Or check out our Global Guide to the TV options in your region.
New Zealand team
New Zealand’s key player: Jorja Miller seems an obvious choice not only for her incredible ability, but also because she’ll be key to keeping South Africa’s physical pack on their toes with her nuisance work at the breakdown. However, we’re going to shine the spotlight on Braxton Sorensen-McGee, one of the tournament’s top try-scorers despite only being 18 years old. South Africa’s back three will have their work cut out making sure Sorensen-McGee isn’t able to add to her two hat-tricks already notched at Rugby World Cup 2025.
South Africa team
South Africa’s key player: South Africa’s diminutive scrum-half Nadine Roos has twice made our fantasy team of the week after huge performances against Brazil and France, and will be key to South Africa’s ability to move the ball around Sandy Park at a tempo that suits their style. She will also be at the back of the set piece, (figuratively) pushing and steering a big pack of forwards as they attempt to dismantle a strong Black Ferns defence by no doubt going straight through the middle.
What New Zealand said
New Zealand head coach Allan Bunting:
“We were proud of our performance last week. There’s areas across the field that we want to improve and build on and certainly want to get better, we know what’s coming this weekend with South Africa. We are here on a mission and this weekend is really important for us. Some of it was looking after our players, obviously, but we’re all 32. We picked them here for a reason and we’ve got all the faith in the world of them to go all the way in this tournament and we know they’re going to put the best forward and we know the challenge at is coming.”
New Zealand flanker Jorja Miller:
“Growing up as Kiwis we know about the rivalry between the All Blacks and the Springboks, and even in the last week, but we also want to grow our rivalries now, especially with the South African women’s team because they’re just at the beginning but they’ve got a really strong team so it will be exciting.”
What South Africa said
South Africa coach Swys de Bruin:
“We were 13th and 12th in the rankings last year, and Italy 7th. So that gave us massive confidence. Even in the Black Ferns game when we played them in Cape Town, their ‘B’ team, to beat them gave us massive confidence. It’s a matter of belief, anything can happen. We believe in miracles, so you never know. I think the pressure if you’re underdogs is on them. There’s nothing on us. I’ve seen with these ladies, if you put the bar there they push it higher. They are unreal if it comes to challenging them.”
South Africa captain Nolusindiso Booi:
“I already had nerves, so it’s a good thing I’m feeling that way now, so that when we get to the field, I know exactly what’s expected of me. I have to give everything for the team, because I don’t believe we are going there to just play the game. I believe we can do something. Coach always talks about miracles, and we have a strong pack, 32 players which are behind us, including our fans at home, our families and everyone out there, so we’ll give everything we have. It’s my last World Cup, so for me it’s about giving everything because I know that after we’re done, I won’t touch a rugby ball again.”