Italy vs South Africa
Kickoff: 3:30pm Sunday 31st August
Venue: York Community Stadium
Watch on: BBC iPlayer
This match between Italy and South Africa will likely determine who progresses in second from this pool. Italy are the favourites but South Africa should not be ruled out in this game. In fact, these sides have played twice in the last couple of years and those games were both competitive. Italy won both of those WXV 2 games but the most recent one, in 2024, finished 23-19 and this game could be just as close.
Italy showed some promising signs against France but were ultimately left frustrated in a 24-0 defeat. They held France's attack throughout the game but were unable to make any impact in attack. The Italians often found themselves stuck in the middle of the field and unable to punch through the physicality of the French defence. South Africa present a slightly easier opposition than France but will still be a tough challenge. The battle upfront will be keenly fought and will ultimately decide the result of this encounter. Giordana and Tounesi will be key for Italy whilst Booi will have to employ all of her experience to lead her side through this game.
Team news
Italy
Starting XV
1.Silvia Turani 2.Vittoria Vecchini 3.Sara Seye 4.Sara Tounesi 5.Giordana Duca
6.Francesca Sgorbini 7..Beatrice Veronese 8.Elisa Giordana(C) 9.Sofia Stefan 10.Emma Stevanin
11.Alyssa D'Inca 12.Beatrice Rigoni 13.Michela Sillari 14.Aura Muzzo 15.Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi
Bench
16.Laura Gurioli 17.Emanuela Stecca 18.Gaia Maris 19.Valeria Fedrighi
20.Alissa Ranuccini 21.Alia Bitonci 22.Sara Mannini 23.Francesca Granzotto
South Africa
Starting XV
1.Sanelisiwe Charlie 2.Lindelwa Gwala 3.Babalwa Latsha 4.Nolusindiso Booi(C) 5.Danelle Lochner
6.Sizophila Solontsi 7.Sinazo Mcatshulwa 8.Aseza Hele 9.Unam Tose 10.Libbie Janse Van Rensburg
11.Ayanda Malinga 12.Chumisa Qawe 13.Zintle Mpupha 14.Byrhandre Dolf 15.Nadine Roos
Bench
16.Micke Gunter 17.Yonela Ngxingolo 18.Nombuyekezo Mdliki 19.Vainah Ubisi
20.Lerato Makua 21.Catha Jacobs 22.Aphiwe Ngwevu 23.Eloise Webb
France vs Brazil
Kickoff: 4:45pm Sunday 31st August
Venue: Sandy Park
Watch on: BBC iPlayer
In football, this is a heavyweight clash, in rugby it is a very different type of game. France may have won last week but they failed to secure a bonus point. There is no doubt that the French will be looking to let out some built-up frustration when they come up against Brazil on Sunday. The big news for France is the return of Pauline Bourdon-Sansus who is eligible to play now that her suspension is over. The likes of Menager and Vernier will join her in a deadly back line which could run riot against Brazil's defence.
As for Brazil, they created history last week but will need to step up a couple of levels to avoid the biggest defeat of the tournament so far. Losing 66-6 to South Africa is okay but France is a different beast. Brazil also has a much-changed team with 13 players coming into the starting XV. This is another good experience for Brazil but this very new side will have their work cut out for them.
Team news
France
Starting XV
1.Annaelle Deshaye 2.Agathe Gerin 3.Rose Bernadou 4.Taina Maka 5.Hina Ikahehegi
6.Seraphine Okemba 7.Lea Champon 8.Marie Morland 9.Pauline Bourdon Sansus 10.Lina Queyroi
11.Kelly Arbey 12.Gaby Vernier 13.Nassira Konde 14.Marine Menager(C) 15.Emilie Boulard
Bench
16.Elise Riffonneau 17.Makarita Baleinadogo 18.Yllana Brosseau 19.Axelle Berthoumieu
20.Khoudedia Cissokho 21.Alexandra Chambon 22.Lina Tuy 23.Caria Neisen
Brazil
Starting XV
1.Samara Vergara 2.Isabela Gomes Saccomanno 3.Tais Gomes da Costa Prioste 4.Eshyllen Coimbra(C) 5.Leticia Silva Ferreira
6.Leticia Medeiros 7.Larissa Alves Carvalho 8.Iris Coluna 9.Luiza Gonzalez da Costa Campos 10.Maria Gabriela Graf
11.Yasmim Luiza de Lima Soares 12.Marina Fioravanti 13.Edna Santini 14.Isadora Lopes 15.Fernanda Tenorio
Bench
16.Natalia Jonck 17.Franciele Barros 18.Pamela dos Santos Soares 19.Ana Carolina Santana
20.Camilla Carvalho 21.Leila Dos Santos Silva 22.Carolyne Pereira 23.Bianca Silva
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