Number eight Aseza Hele scored a hat-trick as South Africa comfortably defeated Women’s Rugby World Cup debutants Brazil in Northampton.
The 60-point victory is South Africa’s largest Women’s World Cup winning margin, surpassing a 15-point win over Kazakhstan in 2010.
Hele, formerly of Premiership Women’s Rugby side Harlequins, was at her destructive best, with the lowest-ranked side in the tournament struggling to stop her brutal power.
The game was only the 17th Test in Brazil’s women’s XVs history, and the South American side defended well in parts, but could only manage six points through the boot of fly-half Raquel Kochhann.
Springbok Women next play Italy in York, while Brazil come up against France in Exeter, with both games being played next Sunday.
Victory in York would put Swys de Bruin’s side in a strong position to qualify for the knockout stages after Italy’s opening defeat by France.
Line-ups
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.
Match officials
Referee: Hollie Davidson (Scotland)
Assistant referees: Holly Wood (England), Jess Ling (Australia)
TMO: Ian Tempest (England)
