France Player Ratings vs South Africa - Women's Rugby World Cup 2025

France started strong attacking from the get go, they opened the scoring with full back Emilie Boulard speeding across the try line giving France the lead. South Africa then responding with an attacking spell and put their first points on the board with Byrhandre Dolf scoring a penalty kick 13 minutes in.

However 6 minutes later, France extended their lead with Gaby Vernier getting over the white line. France continued to dominate scoring a further two tries in the first half, with tries from Charlotte Escudero in the 26th minute and Agathe Gerin in the 36th minute. While trying to absorb the continuous French attack, South Africa's job got harder with Chumisa Qawe getting a yellow card, which after bunker review was upgraded to a 20 minute red card.

The French started like the finished the first half. They asserted further dominance over the South Africans with a try by Emilie Boulard just 2 minutes in the 2nd half. Just 8 minutes later Joanna Grisez sped over the try line getting her first try of the evening.

There was nothing stopping Les Bleues finishing the match with a further 3 tries. With

substitute Annaelle Deshaye steaming over the line 60 minutes in, and then with less than ten minutes of the game remaining Joanna Grisez bagging her second try and substitute Alexandra Chambon finding her way onto the scoreboard.

As the match entered its dying minutes South Africa got themselves a consolation try with South African scrum half, Nadine Roos rolling over the try line in the 80th minute of the game.

France: 57

Tries: 9 Boulard (9', 42') Vernier (19') Escudero(26') Gerin (36') Grisez (50', 74') Deshaye (60') Chambon (78')

Conversions: 6 Queyroi (19', 26') Bourgeois (43', 60', 75', 79')

Starting XV: 1 Yllana Brosseau, 2 Agathe Gerin, 3 Rose Bernadou, 4 Manae Feleu (Captain), 5 Madoussou Fall Reclothe, 6 Axelle Berthoumieu, 7 Lea Champion, 8 Charlotte Escudero, 9 Pauline Bourdon Sansus, 10 Lina Queyroi, 11 Marine Menager, 12 Gaby Vernier, 13 Nassira Konde, 14 Joanna Grisez, 15 Emilie Boulard

Replacements: 16 Elisa Riffonneau, 17 Annaelle Deshaye, 18 Assia Khalfaoui, 19 Hina Ikahehegi, 20 Taina Maka, 21 Seraphine Okenba, 22 Alexandra Chambon, 23 Morgane Bourgeois

South Africa: 10

Tries: 1 Roos (80')

Conversions: 1 Dolf (81')

Penalties: 1 Dolf (13')

Red Cards: Qawe

Starting XV: 1 Yonela Ngxingolo, 2 Micke Gunter, 3 Babalwa Latsha (Captain), 4 Vainah Ubisi, 5 Anathi Qolo, 6 Lerato Makua, 7 Catha Jacobs, 8 Aseza Hele, 9 Nadine Roos, 10 Mary Zulu, 11 Maceala Samboya, 12 Chumisa Qawe, 13 Eloise Webb, 14 Jacomina Cilliers, 15 Byrhandre Dolf

Replacements: 16 Luchell Hanekom, 17 Xoliswasa Khuzwayo, 18 Nombuyekezo Mdliki, 19 Nomsa Mokwai, 20 Ntsako Faith Tshauke, 21 Sinazo Mcatshulwa, 22 Tayla Kinsey, 23 Aphiwe Ngwevu

Solid game from the prop making some great tackles throughout the game to stem any South African attack.

Great game from the hooker, making some great tackles and carries and powering her way over the try line at the end of the first half.

The prop had a solid making some key tackles and carries throughout the time she was on the pitch.

Strong game by the captain, making some big tackles throughout the game as well some great carries.

The lock had a really solid game using her height and strength to power through the South African defence as well as playing a key part in the success of the the French's line outs.

The flanker had a solid but quiet game, no particular standout moments but was key to ensuring the South African attack was kept at bay

During her time on the pitch, she created some great passages of play, and had some great connective play Joanna Grisez.

A very strong game for the number 8, getting herself on the scoresheet, but also creating so great combinations of play connecting the forwards and the backs

A super game from the scrum half, making some great runs, tackle, and carries, the only thing she didn't get was a try in the end. A player of the match worthy performance.

A good game from the the fly half, however her kicking was inconsistent throughout the game.

Solid game from the winger, made some great attacking runs and worked well with her fellow backs creating some great passages of play.

A really great game from the centre, scoring a great try and extending France's early lead.

Solid game from the centre, making some great runs forwards and connecting with fellow backs to help assist the try scorers.

What a game for the winger, making her self a nightmare in the wing for the South African defence and speeding over that try line twice.

A superstar performance by the full back, opening the scoring in both halves and ensuring the French kept the momentum.

Impacts of the bench from Annabelle Deshaye, Alexandra Chambon, and Morgane Bourgeois, with Deshaye and Chambon scoring tries in the 60th and 78th minute respectively, and Morgane Bourgeois turning the tide on the kicking by the French scoring 4 out 5 conversions.