Springbok Women off to flying start with record World Cup win over Brazil

THE Springbok Women’s team are up and running at the World Cup and looking red hot after routing Brazil 66-6 at Franklin’s Gardens in Northampton.

- MIKE GREENAWAY

While the weakness of the opposition must be taken into account — Brazil are ranked 24th in the world, 12 places below the South Africans — the Bok Women stuck to their structures and ticked most of the boxes coach Swys de Bruin would have listed.

Apart from a flat patch in the middle of the first half, the Boks were impressive. The Brazilians never gave up and tackled like terriers, making this an ideal opening game for South Africa as they had a valuable workout in match conditions.

De Bruin will be pleased to have their first match out of the way, and attention now turns to next week’s clash with Italy, ranked seventh in the world and five places above the South Africans.