South Africa claim historic quarter-final spot

Women's Rugby World Cup - Pool D

Italy (12) 24

Tries: Minuzzi, Vecchini, Sgorbini, Seye Cons: Sillari, Rigoni

South Africa (17) 29

Tries: Hele, Roos, Malinga, Solontsi, Mcatshulwa Cons: Dolf 2

South Africa reached their first ever Women's World Cup quarter-final with an impressive 29-24 win over Italy at York Community Stadium.

The Springbok Women will meet France - who are second in Pool D after thumping Brazil 84-5 - next Sunday to decide who goes through as group winners.

"This is unreal, it is so emotional," said head coach Swys de Bruin. "We have never made the quarters, we have never beaten Italy.

"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."

Player of the match Libbie Van Rensburg added: "This is massive. We spoke about changing history in South Africa for women's rugby and we did that."

"Every single lady who is in the squad is part of making history and I think we really made South Africa proud."

South Africa are ranked 12th in the world, while Italy started the World Cup in seventh

How the match unfolded

Aseza Hele, who scored a hat-trick in South Africa's opening win over Brazil, continued her try-scoring form as the number eight crossed for the opening score.

Full-back Nadine Roos then finished off a second try after fly-half Janse van Rensburg broke clear.

Italy responded through Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi and Vittoria Vecchini, either side of Springbok wing Ayanda Malinga's try.

Le Azzurre, who lost their World Cup opener to France 24-0, levelled the score just after the break with a try from from flanker Francesca Sgorbini.

A composed South Africa side reacted well under the pressure, with forward Sizophila Solontsi reaching over the line for their bonus-point try.

Fabio Roselli's side fought back for the second time when Sara Seye's score drew the game level.

However, South Africa finished the match in style as Sinazo Mcatshulwa forced her way over to snatch a famous win.

Line-ups

Italy: Minuzzi; Muzzo, Sillari, Rigoni, D'Inca; Stevanin, Stefan; Turani, Vecchini, Seye, Tounesi, Duca, Sgorbini, Veronese, Giordano (capt).

Replacements: Gurioli, Stecca, Maris, Fedrighi, Ranuccini, Bitonci, Mannini, Granzotto.

South Africa: Roos; Dolf, Mpupha, Qawe, Malinga; Janse van Rensburg, Tose; Charlie, Gwala, Latsha, Booi (capt), Lochner, Solontsi, Mcatshulwa, Hele.

Replacements: Gunter, Ngxingolo, Mdliki, Ubisi, Makua, Jacobs, Ngwevu, Webb.

Match officials

Referee: Ella Goldsmith (Australia)

Assistant referees: Holly Wood (England) and Amelia Luciano (South Africa)

TMO: Rachel Horton (Australia)