New Zealand’s Black Ferns won 52–20 at FNB Stadium on 5 September, scoring eight tries to South Africa’s four. It was the first Test between the two teams on South African soil, and the result extended New Zealand’s unbeaten record against the Springbok Women.

South Africa, however, showed that their scrum, maul and attacking set piece could cause problems for one of the world’s leading teams. The challenge was turning those periods of pressure into enough points while preventing New Zealand from exploiting mistakes in open play.

Here are five key takeaways from the game.

1. South Africa can create pressure against elite opposition

The biggest positive was the Springbok Women’s ability to turn pressure into points.

South Africa scored four tries, with Lindelwa Gwala, Aphiwe Ngwevu and Vainah Ubisi crossing the line. Ubisi scored twice, including a second-half try from a quick-tap penalty late in the match.

The first South African try came from a driving lineout maul. Ngwevu then scored after a quick tap close to the New Zealand line, while Ubisi added a second try from another strong maul before completing her brace in the final stages.

These moments showed that South Africa can still generate serious pressure through their forwards and convert possession close to the try line.

That was particularly significant against New Zealand, who entered the match eight places above South Africa in the world rankings. The Black Ferns ultimately had too much pace and variety, but the Springbok Women were able to create several attacking sequences against them.

2. The scrum remains a major weapon

The Springbok Women’s scrum was one of the clearest sources of pressure.

South Africa repeatedly put the New Zealand scrum under pressure and won penalties from their work at the set piece. That provided attacking opportunities and helped the hosts build momentum during the first half.

The scrum was particularly important during the period when South Africa reduced the deficit to 10–12 after Ngwevu’s try. After New Zealand were penalised for pulling down a driving maul, Unam Tose took a quick tap and helped create the try for Ngwevu. The South African pack then continued to put pressure on the New Zealand scrum.

New Zealand’s forwards eventually struggled to contain the South African pack at scrum time. That gives the Springbok Women an important platform to build on.

The lesson is not simply that South Africa can win scrum penalties. Against a team as experienced as New Zealand, a strong set piece can become a platform for the rest of the attack.

3. The lineout cost South Africa important opportunities

If the scrum provided encouragement, the lineout was a different story.

South Africa lost possession from a lineout near the New Zealand try line in the first half, wasting an opportunity while the score was still close. Another inaccurate throw followed after a scrum had created further pressure.

Those moments mattered because the Springbok Women were not short of attacking opportunities. The team successfully used driving mauls for two of its four tries, but other promising possessions ended without points.

Against an opponent capable of turning defence into attack very quickly, every lost attacking ball can change the momentum of a match.

The lineout therefore becomes an important area for improvement. South Africa showed that they can build pressure near the try line, but they need to make sure that pressure consistently begins with secure possession.

4. New Zealand punished mistakes much more efficiently

The biggest difference between the teams was the way they converted opportunities into points.

The Black Ferns scored four tries in the first half and led 24–10 at the break. Their attack combined quick-tap penalties, wide running and support play, with Braxton Sorensen-McGee and Elinor-Plum King both scoring twice in the match.

South Africa also made life difficult for themselves through mistakes and lost possession.

After Ubisi’s second-half try reduced the deficit to 24–15, South Africa immediately lost possession from the restart. New Zealand then worked through the phases before Maia Joseph stepped past a defender to score.

Elinor-Plum King later added her second try as gaps began to appear in the South African defence. Amarante Sititi and Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu then added further tries to take the Black Ferns beyond 50 points.

The Springbok Women also had to deal with an unusual opportunity that they could not fully exploit: New Zealand received four yellow cards during the match. Even with the Black Ferns reduced to 14 players on several occasions, South Africa could not turn their numerical advantage into enough points.

That is an important lesson at international level. Creating pressure is one part of the game; retaining possession and converting opportunities is another.

5. The defeat still fits into a year of progress

The result should also be viewed in the context of South Africa’s 2026 campaign rather than as an isolated performance.

Before facing New Zealand, the Springbok Women had retained their Rugby Africa Women’s Cup title and played Test series against the USA and Fiji. The team had already gained experience against several different styles of opposition during the season.

The Black Ferns Test represented another step up in quality. South Africa could not match New Zealand for the full 80 minutes, but they showed that their scrum, maul and close-range attack can create problems for a leading international side.

The next challenge is to make those periods of pressure more consistent while reducing the errors that allow opponents to score from broken play.

What should the Springbok Women take forward?

The 52–20 scoreline leaves little doubt about the result, but it does not tell the whole story.

South Africa showed that their scrum and maul can create serious pressure, while their attack produced four tries against New Zealand. At the same time, the lineout, ball retention, defensive organisation and ability to exploit numerical advantages remain areas where the team can improve.

The timing is important. The Springbok Women now move into the WXV Global Series, beginning with a Test against Wales in Cardiff on 18 September, followed by Italy in Pordenone on 26 September. They will then face Spain in Seville on 4 October.

The New Zealand match therefore offers a useful reference point.

The Springbok Women do not need to abandon the physical style that creates their best opportunities. The challenge is to combine that strength with greater accuracy and consistency — especially when playing against teams capable of turning a single mistake into points.

Sources

  • SA Rugby — Classy Black Ferns too good for brave Bok Women

SA Rugby — Positives for Springbok Women despite defeat to Black Ferns

World Rugby — South Africa v New Zealand match centre

World Rugby — WXV Global Series 2026

World Rugby — Wales v South Africa, 18 September 2026

World Rugby — Italy v South Africa, 26 September 2026

World Rugby — South Africa v New Zealand match officials and match information

New Zealand Rugby — Black Ferns v France: WXV Global Series 2026 Preview