YORK – South Africa are through to their first Women's Rugby World Cup quarter-final after beating Italy for the first time in their history, winning 29-24 in Pool D after a thrilling match at York Community Stadium that swung one way and then the other.

Story of the match

South Africa were on the front foot straight from the kick-off, scoring two tries, first off the back of the first of several dominant scrums, then through a slick backs move down the left after turning the ball over in the middle of the pitch.

A Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi try secured their first points of RWC 2025 after a period of sustained pressure, but after another powerful scrum in centrefield, wing Ayanda Malinga secured South Africa’s lead with a try in the corner.

Back came Italy again. First, a clever lineout move resulted in hooker Vittoria Vecchini scoring a try before half-time. Then, after the break, Vecchini turned provider, her inside pass putting Francesca Sgorbini over the tryline to make it 17-17.

Yonela Ngxingolo (RSA) and Sara Seye (ITA) exchanged short-range tries to make it 24-24. But with six minutes to go, openside flanker Sinazo Mcatshulwa touched down after a series of pick-and-goes to put South Africa into their first Women’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final.

Mastercard Player of the Match

Libbie Janse van Rensburg controlled the match from fly-half, allowing South Africa to blend their power game with threats out wide.

"This is absolutely amazing," she said. "We had a job, we said we were going to be direct - this is what South Africa is about! People feel us when we are on the field and we appreciate all the support."

"This [win] is massive. We spoke about changing history in South Africa for women's rugby and today we did that."

Coach insight

South Africa head coach Swys de Bruin described reaching the quarter-finals as "so emotional" and "unreal".

He said: "To score five tries in a game like this, I am so proud of everyone. I am so proud I can be part of it. It's amazing.

"The nation is so much behind these girls. It is in our blood. We just love it. We try to copy our men's teams - the sevens, the under-20s. We thought we must catch up now. Our girls were absolutely fantastic."

Italy head coach Fabio Roselli gave credit to their opponents: "We tried to play our game but we wasn’t able because South Africa played a really good game. We were not so connected as a team and we miss a couple of opportunities, too many errors.”

Stat of the day

612 - the number of metres South Africa made, nearly double the amount of Italy, so were deserved winners.

Next steps

Italy will have to lift themselves for their final pool match against Brazil, something Roselli said is "not easy". South Africa warm up for the quarter-finals with a match against France to decide who finishes top of Pool D.