World Cup debutants show 'rugby matters' in Brazil

Women's Rugby World Cup - Pool D

South Africa (26) 66

Tries: Roos, Hele 3, Malinga 2, Janse van Rensburg 2, Ngwevu, Makua Cons: Dolf 8

Brazil (3) 6

Pens: Kochhann 2

"We are present to show Brazil person much than conscionable soccer."

Fly-half Raquel Kochhann whitethorn not person achieved her first dream of playing shot for her country, but she did get nan chance to show her kicking skills connected nan world stage.

Brazil were 12-0 down to South Africa connected their Women's Rugby World Cup debut erstwhile a punishment was awarded.

From conscionable extracurricular nan 22, and astatine a flimsy angle, it was that awkward footwear that you should get, but it was acold from a gimme.

It was ne'er successful uncertainty and Kochhann's historical onslaught sailed done pinch ease, arsenic did a punishment successful nan 2nd half.

Those were nan only scores registered by Brazil arsenic they fell to a dense opening 66-6 defeat, but afterwards nan players stressed nan value of becoming nan first South American squad to make nan Women's World Cup.

"We are truthful excited to beryllium present to show nan world Brazilian rugby," said Kochhann.

"I americium really judge we are inspiring young girls and players successful Brazil to spot a early by seeing america play astatine nan highest level possible."

Brazil's World Cup debut was overmuch anticipated because of their sevens flair, but it was their toughness and bravery successful defence that stood out.

A ample information of nan squad travel from reliable favelas, and person had to conflict harder than astir to scope nan world stage.

Kochhann, who won her seventh XVs headdress successful Northampton, is simply a sevens master and has been to 3 Olympic Games, overcoming bosom crab to characteristic successful Paris past year.

The lowest-ranked squad astatine nan tourney successful 25th, Brazil had only played 16 Tests of XV-a-side rugby anterior to nan tournament. They only celebrated their first triumph successful 2023 complete Portugal.

Even erstwhile nan Brazil nationalist anthem ended successful Northampton, nan players continued to singing afloat of emotion.

"We screamed to everyone that we are warriors and are ready," Kochhann added.

"It is really important that we had a load of Brazilians present and those supporting america successful Brazil. This power is important to show group are looking retired and caring astir us.

"It shows rugby matters, I emotion this energy. I americium ace excited to spot really our squad grows.

Bianca Silva's fantabulous early try-saving tackle connected Ayanda Malinga typified that warrior mindset - 1 of 168 tackles her squad made successful nan game.

Springbok number 8 Aseza Hele bagged a hat-trick and was 1 subordinate Brazil could simply not extremity because of her sadistic power.

But fantabulous scramble defence meant South Africa only scored their 4th effort correct connected half-time, earlier they accelerated clear successful nan 2nd half.

The Brazil supporters remained large passim nan game, bringing a affirmative and nosy cognition moreover successful defeat.

Nadia is from 1 of nan smallest states successful Brazil and relocated to England 3 years ago.

"It doesn't matter which portion of Brazil you are from, and it is huge, but it feels for illustration one, location was nary measurement I couldn't beryllium present arsenic I had to support nan team," she told BBC Sport.

"Brazil qualifying for nan World Cup has been immense for nan state to show really overmuch you tin do. This tin get much funding, support and group playing."

Fabiano, who was a number 8 successful his youth, travelled each nan measurement from Sao Paulo for nan crippled pinch his boy Fergus and girl Bella.

Brazil's women's sevens squad person qualified for nan past 3 Olympics and vanished ninth successful nan caller World Series.

"Since nan Rio Olympics nan athletics has grown. We liked that it was fast," he told BBC Sport.

"I heard nan women's squad warmed up pinch euphony and samba while training. It brings happiness to nan game, that's why we for illustration it.

"Brazil has nan imaginable to really for illustration XVs, it is simply a squad crippled for illustration football. We for illustration ball!"

Brazil now look France, who defeated Italy successful their opening game, successful Exeter adjacent Saturday.

Les Bleues, classed 4th successful nan world, are contenders to triumph nan tourney and will beryllium a large measurement up successful competition.

"I deliberation we tin amended a batch playing much teams astatine this level," added Kochhann. "For nan adjacent game, I deliberation we tin amended measurement by measurement and decorativeness our information present successful nan champion spot that we tin be."

South Africa: Dolf; Dolf, Mpupha, Ngwevu, Malinga; Van Rensburg, Roos; Charlie, Gwala, Latsha, Booi (capt), Lochner, Solontsi, Mcatshulwa, Hele.

Replacements: Gunter, Ngxingolo, Mdliki, Ubisi, Makua, Jacobs, Tose, Cilliers.

Brazil: Silva; Barth, Fioravanti, Nicolau, Santini; Kochhann, Mayumi Bednarski; Barros, Leni Lima, Prioste, Coimbra, Souza, Henwood, Carvalho, Carvalo.

Replacements: Gomes Saccomanno, Vergara, Mamede, Dakar, Silva Ferreira, Campos, Tenorio, Lopes.

Referee: Hollie Davidson (Scotland)

Assistant referees: Holly Wood (England), Jess Ling (Australia)

TMO: Ian Tempest (England)