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Black Ferns survive Springbok Women's scrum dominance to win 52-20 at FNB Stadium

New Zealand's Black Ferns overcame a physical first-half challenge from South Africa, particularly at the scrum, to run out 52-20 winners at FNB Stadium. Co-captain Georgia Ponsonby credited the Springbok Women's execution while calling the test vital preparation for the WXV Global Series.

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Black Ferns survive Springbok Women's scrum dominance to win 52-20 at FNB Stadium
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The Black Ferns defeated the Springbok Women 52-20 at FNB Stadium on Saturday, but co-captain Georgia Ponsonby was quick to acknowledge South Africa’s impact — particularly a dominant set piece in the first half that tested the six-time world champions before altitude and fitness eventually told.

South Africa arrived with a clear game plan, targeting the scrum and maul from the outset and executing it with enough conviction to keep New Zealand honest deep into the contest. As the Springbok Women tired, the Black Ferns’ superior conditioning opened up space in the wider channels, allowing Whitney Hansen’s side to pull clear.

Braxton Sorensen-McGee and Elinor-Plum King each crossed twice, with Chryss Viliko, Maia Joseph, Ma’ama Mo’onia Vaipulu and Amarante Sititi also scoring to complete the eight-try haul.

“Credit to South Africa, they really brought it,” Ponsonby said at full-time. “They dominated in the set piece, and those scrums, and those mauls. They definitely had a game plan and executed it. A huge Test for us and we needed that going into what’s going to be a long tour coming up. We’ve got some huge Test matches coming up.”

Springbok Women’s captain Babalwa Latsha echoed the sentiment from the other side. “The girls fought incredibly hard. That was a tough encounter. Our defensive sets were tested tremendously. We challenged at the scrums as well, which is our DNA, which we had worked really hard on this week and we got some reward off of that. What better way to prepare than to face one of the best teams in the world?”

For South Africa, the performance offers genuine encouragement ahead of their WXV Global Series campaign against Wales, Italy and Spain in Europe, followed by back-to-back home Tests against Ireland in October.

New Zealand, meanwhile, turn their attention to the WXV Global Series opener against France in Lyon next week. The tour also includes fixtures against Scotland and England before the Black Ferns return home for three further Tests against France.

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