Defending champions New Zealand beat the Springbok Women at Sandy Park on Saturday to book their place in the World Cup semi-finals.

The Black Ferns scored eight tries to triumph 46-17 against a South African side that had made history by reaching the playoffs for the first time.

The Bok Women started strongly, piling pressure on the six-time title winners with innovative and powerful forward play that was rewarded with tries from Babalwa Latsha and Aphiwe Ngwevu.

HUGE! @WomenBoks get the opening try as Babalwa Latsha finds the line!#RWC2025 #NZLvRSA @SSRugby pic.twitter.com/IpX1MCMwoP

— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) September 13, 2025

However, those efforts were matched by scores from Theresa Setefano and Braxton Sorensen-McGee to leave the scoreboard locked at 10-10 at half time.

The Black Ferns came roaring back after the break, scoring three tries in the first seven minutes of the second half to seize control of the match.

🔙 in the action, 🔙 in the tries

Kaipo Olsen-Baker with her second of the day!#RWC2025 #NZLvRSA pic.twitter.com/3zxYz1DGP9

— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) September 13, 2025

They ran in 29 unanswered points after the restart, with Sorensen-McGee, Renee Holmes and Kaipo Olsen-Baker each bagging a brace, before Lerato Makua gave the South Africans something to cheer with their final try of the game.

Katelyn Vahaakolo had the last say as the Black Ferns powered to victory to keep their title defence alive.

Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images