It was a try-fest at Franklin’s Gardens where Aseza Hele’s hat-trick heroics and Aphiwe Ngwevu’s midfield dominance spearheaded a massive victory for the Springbok Women over Brazil in the Rugby World Cup opening game. Scorching through the Brazilian defense, the Springboks put a whopping ten tries on the board, ending the match with a lopsided 66-6 scoreline, setting a fiery tone for their World Cup campaign.
The match kicked off with Nadine Roos slicing through to score underneath the posts, promptly setting the stage for what was to become a relentless onslaught. The Boks maintained superior control over territory and possession, and by halftime, they had already bagged four tries. However, the loudest applause in the first half erupted not for a try but when Raquel Kochhann booted in a penalty, marking Brazil’s first-ever points in a Rugby World Cup.
Despite Brazil’s robust defense, which saw them racking up 168 tackles and securing six turnovers, Hele's brute force was simply too overpowering, with her completing her hat-trick shortly after the break. The South Africans were relentless, and the scoreboard just kept ticking.
"I’m very, very happy because we’ve come very far and worked very hard to be here,"
Ngwevu shared after the match, her performance earning her the Player of the Match title. She added,"Brazil never stopped, they kept coming, but we stopped them."
Springbok coach Swys de Bruin couldn't hide his pride, lauding his team's dedication and the strategic deployment of his 'bomb squad' bench, which, in his words, worked wonders. "I know where these girls come from, I know their stories, they deserve this," de Bruin commented, signaling a night of celebration before shifting focus to the upcoming game against Italy.
On the flip side, Brazil’s coach Emiliano Caffera acknowledged the tough lesson but remained optimistic. "They know the level now and I think we will have a better game," he stated, hopeful for improvement in upcoming matches.
The standout defensive effort from Eshyllen Coimbra, who made 16 tackles without missing a single one, highlighted Brazil's determination, but the day belonged to South Africa, who marked their tournament's start with undeniable authority. Next, the Boks face Italy on August 31, looking to build on their dominant start.