Women’s Rugby World Cup quarter-finals preview as Black Ferns to have ‘too much star power’ for South Africa
Preview: 2025 Women's World Cup quarter-finals
The knockout stages of the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup are upon us, with eight teams set to battle it out to take the title of world champions.
Here’s how the quarter-finals line up:
Quarter-final 1: New Zealand v South Africa – 1 pm local time
New Zealand’s route: As the most successful nation in the history of the World Cup, with triple the number of titles compared to their nearest rivals, the six-time winners breezed through their pool matches. First up, Spain felt the full force of a Jorja Miller masterclass, touching down with two early tries to set the tone for the rest of the match. Although the Black Ferns made a couple of uncharacteristic early mistakes, they proved too strong for their underdog opponents, winning 54-8.
Next up, it was Japan to test their strength against the very best. Despite another slow start, the Black Ferns powered over with 10 tries, led by the record-breaking try scorer, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe. The match ended 62-19 at Exeter’s Sandy Park. With their spot in the knockout stages confirmed, the New Zealanders ran 40 unanswered points over Ireland in the final match, showing a clear indication of their progress heading into crunch time.
New Zealand’s key player: Two-time World Rugby Women’s Player of the Year, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, is as athletic an outside back as you’ll find anywhere in the women’s game. Her record-breaking try-scoring exploits for the Black Ferns added to a long list of awards she’s achieved since bursting onto the 7s and 15s scene back in 2013. For New Zealand to go all the way, their talismanic star will need to be in top form.
South Africa’s route: South Africa got off to a flying start in their first match of the World Cup, beating Brazil by 60 points at Franklin’s Gardens. Scoring in just the second minute, the squad made their intentions for this competition very clear. They’re going to take no prisoners on their journey. This was backed up by an incredible 29-24 victory over the higher-ranked Italy just days later, which secured their spot in the quarter-finals. Despite their reputation growing like wildfire back home, the Springbok women were overpowered by the world number four side, France, in their final match, putting them in direct fire of the Black Ferns.
South Africa’s key player: Talented playmaker, Libbie Janse van Rensburg, is pivotal to the way the Springbok women play. The 30-year-old boasts an impressive running game and a huge boot. It’s Van Rensburg’s power that gives South Africa their much-needed go-forward, so she will need to step up once again if her teammates are to challenge the Black Ferns.
Score prediction: The Black Ferns will have too much star power, but don’t be surprised if the South Africans fight right up until the death. New Zealand 53-22 South Africa.
Quarter-final 2: Canada v Australia – 4 pm local time
Canada’s route: The second-ranked team in the world started strongly, beating Fiji by almost 60 points at home and then dismissing Wales without conceding a point, despite losing a remarkable 21 turnovers. Their first real challenge came at Sandy Park when they were pushed to the edge by a tough Scotland side. Canada had worked on reducing their turnover mistakes from the previous match against Wales, and as a result, powered through to get the eventual win.
Canada’s key player: Versatile star Sophie de Goede is the highest female points scorer of all time, with 266 points for her national side. Not only her team’s kicker, but also a regular visitor to the try-line, the 26-year-old will need to continue ensuring that the scoreboard keeps ticking.
Australia’s route: Having disappointed in the sevens at last year’s Olympic Games, Australia were looking to gain some redemption and international respect in the fifteens game. Their return to the limelight could not have started any better, beating Samoa by 73 points to nil. Their excitement quickly turned to nervousness, however, when the stars of Down Under met the stars of the red, white, and blue in York, drawing 31-all with the USA in arguably the most entertaining match of the tournament so far. This led to a points battle as the two sides entered their final matches. Australia went down by 40 to England, while the USA won by 60 over Samoa. The Wallaroos snuck through on points difference.
Australia’s key player: For Australia to progress to the semi-finals, they’ll need their best players to step up, and Maya Stewart is as good as they get. The most prolific try scorer in Australian women’s rugby history, she has all the pace, power and stepping ability to change a game in seconds.
Score prediction: The Wallaroos have shown little promise in this tournament beyond the opening match, so they will be hard-pressed to expect a positive result against the mighty Canada. Canada 40-7 Australia.
Quarter-final 3: France v Ireland – 1 pm local time
France’s route: Arguably the most impressive group stage results of the lot. Whitewashed Italy, put 84 on Brazil and beat South Africa by almost 50. France hold an impressive record against most sides in world rugby, but often struggle against the top three. Now, after such an impressively composed and error-free performance against South Africa, many will see Les Bleus as genuine World Cup contenders.
France’s key player: The name Pauline Bourdon-Sansus has become as synonymous with the French women’s game in recent years as Antoine Dupont’s has for the men’s. An incredibly versatile playmaker, the 29-year-old is leading her side’s charge following 10 years at the very peak of French rugby. As arguably one of the very best players in the world, Bourdon-Sansus’s leadership and vision could well lead her team right to the top.
Ireland’s route: The Emerald Isle are not expected to be genuine title contenders, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t capable of holding their own against the very best. Sadly, their very best was not on display in their final match against New Zealand. Mistakes crept in, and the intensity of their opposition proved too much as they fell by 40 to the six-time world champions. Against France, they will need to show notable improvements from their opening three matches, which did, however, include victories over Japan and Spain.
Ireland’s key player: With Aoife Wafer, Erin King and others out with injury, Ireland needs their World Cup stars to step up. Look no further than youngster Aoife Dalton. The 22-year-old centre isn’t the biggest or the strongest, but she still packs the hardest punch. A vital component in the Irish midfield, this centre very rarely misses a tackle, so she will be vital when it comes to stifling a fluid attack like France’s.
Score prediction: Despite only being next to each other in the world rankings, the difference in quality is extreme. Ireland, although relatively solid, will struggle to contend with the zip and team cohesion that France are starting to display. France 32-10 Ireland.
Quarter-final 4: England v Scotland – 4 pm local time
England’s route: After losing dramatically in the final in 2022, England have returned to the biggest stage with increased vigour and even higher expectations. The highly touted Americans were demolished by over 60 points in the opener, Samoa by almost 90 in the second game, and Australia by 40 in the final match of the pool stage.
England’s key player: One of the most consistent players of the past decade, Alex Matthews has become a stalwart of an England squad that is odds on to take home the trophy. The 32-year-old has remarkably been pulling on the white of England since 2011, and played in four World Cups in her time. The experience she brings, alongside her impressive work rate and professionalism, makes her an integral part of England’s World Cup campaign.
Scotland’s route: Comfortably beating Scotland in the opener would have given the squad much confidence as they looked to build up some momentum heading further into the tournament. A victory over Fiji continued their impressive start, but it was Canada who would eventually stamp on their progress. Their loss to Canada will only strengthen their resolve, however, and provide them with new learnings as they head into the quarter-finals, aware of what the top sides will bring.
Scotland’s key player: Scotland captain and Environmental Science PhD graduate, Rachel Malcolm has it all. Although the latter isn’t relevant to the game, it does indicate the hard work and resilience that the flanker has, and against England, her team will need it. A true leader, the 34-year-old will bring her teammates up to her level to face the very best.
Score prediction: Scotland will not be pushovers, but England have more than enough firepower to avoid the need to simply push. This is an England side at their home World Cup, playing in front of their fans, expect another lesson to be taught. England 45-7 Scotland.
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