ReportSpringbok WomenRugby365yesterday

Black Ferns lose co-captain Demant to calf injury ahead of WXV opener against France

Ruahei Demant, the Black Ferns' most experienced player, has been ruled out of their WXV opener against France with a calf injury sustained during Saturday's win over the Springbok Women, with Georgia Ponsonby stepping up as sole captain.

Ruahei Demant has been ruled out of the Black Ferns' WXV Global Series opener against France after sustaining a calf injury, with Georgia Ponsonby taking over as sole captain for the remainder of the tour.

Demant, New Zealand's most capped player in the current squad with 56 Test appearances, came off the bench in Saturday's 52-20 win over the Springbok Women at FNB Stadium, playing the final 10 minutes of the Greatest Rivalry double-header in Soweto. The calf injury was confirmed shortly after.

Ponsonby, who had been sharing captaincy duties with Demant, will lead the defending world champions alone as their WXV campaign gets under way against France. New Zealand has indicated a replacement for Demant in the touring squad will be named in the coming days.

Sources

Rugby365https://rugby365.com/countries/new-zealand/black-ferns-suffer-major-injury-blow-before-france-test/

Tagged

Black Ferns too sharp for Springbok Women despite scrum dominance

The Springbok Women were beaten 52-20 by New Zealand at FNB Stadium, losing despite dominating the scrum and maul, with finishing and handling errors undermining a competitive first-half performance.

AnalysisSpringbok Women

Bok Women face Black Ferns in historic FNB test — without their coach

South Africa's historic home debut against the Black Ferns comes at an awkward moment — Swys de Bruin resigned mid-week, leaving assistants to take charge. Rugby365 breaks down the teams, the key matchups, and tips New Zealand by 12.

VideoJunior Boks

Baby Boks go BACK-TO-BACK 🏆 | France v South Africa | Junior World Championship | Full Match Replay

What started off as a quiet final at the Mikheil Meshki Stadium in Tbilisi, Georgia, ended up as a final FILLED with memorable moments 🤩

VideoJunior Boks

Title RETAINED 🏆🏆 | France v South Africa | Junior World Championship | Extended Highlights

What started off as a quiet final at the Mikheil Meshki Stadium in Tbilisi, Georgia, ended up as a final FILLED with memorable moments 🤩

AnalysisSpringboks

Hits & Misses: Scotland earn respect at Loftus, Women Boks stumble at the finish line

Scotland pushed the Boks harder than the 42-28 scoreline suggests, the Women Boks let a series win slip through ill-discipline, Will Jordan broke the All Blacks try-scoring record, and France made history in Brisbane — Wynona Louw's weekend review covers the highs and lows.