Springbok Women defend unorthodox tactics in World Cup QF loss

Springbok Women’s head coach Swys de Bruin has defended the unconventional approach that saw his side field a two-player lineout, a 13-woman lineout and even a full 15-player maul in their Rugby World Cup quarter-final defeat to New Zealand.

“We did some unconventional things today yes, but we had to try and think out of the box a bit,” said De Bruin after the 46-17 loss in Exeter. “Our two player lineout, followed by a 15 player lineout, certainly had New Zealand baffled and we could score two very good tries against them in the first half.”

South Africa, ranked 12th heading into the tournament, went into the break level at 10-10 with the defending champions before conceding three quick tries early in the second half.

“What a performance by this team, coming into the tournament ranked 12th in the world and leaving it as one of the top eight sides,” De Bruin said. “To deliver such a great first half against the Black Ferns proved that it was no fluke, it showed that this team is here to stay and could be the sleeping giant of the women’s game.”

The quarter-final exit was still historic.

Always innovating. Always threatening.@WomenBoks with a 15-strong maul#NZLvRSA #RWC2025 pic.twitter.com/B1Nst88cxM

— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) September 13, 2025

South Africa had won only three of their 18 previous World Cup matches before 2025. Pool victories over Brazil and Italy saw them through to the last eight. In Saturday’s knock-out match against the Black Ferns, they not only matched the reigning champs for 40 minutes.

They also managed to score three tries – something no South African women’s side had previously achieved at this stage.

Captain Nolusindiso Booi said the tactical ploys unsettled the world champions.

“We really had them confused at the end of the first half with our tactics and they did not have all the answers to combat our mauls with so many players in it,” Booi said. “The quality team they are, they did outplay us in the second half and deserved to win, but I know we left nothing out there and every player should be proud of what they did out there today.”

Booi added that the strategy had buy-in from the squad from the start: “We have very good coaches and they always have a plan which works most of the times. So today’s tactical approach was one we were ready to try and when it went well in training, we knew it could work in the game as well. And it did, but we could not sustain that, unfortunately.”

De Bruin said the impact of the side’s campaign went beyond the scoreboard.

“Off the field, the players did really well and it is such a blessing to be part of this team and their journey. A lot of good things came at this World Cup and the amount of messages of support was incredible. They certainly won the hearts of many.”

Booi, playing in her fourth World Cup, called it the best performance by a South African team on the biggest stage: “This was the best Women’s World Cup performance ever by a South African team by far. The pleasing part of this was the enjoyment the team had in the last month, knowing that we were not only playing good rugby, but also leaving a benchmark for future teams.”