(Reuters) - Scrumhalf Laure Sansus scored two tries as France underlined their title credentials with a bonus point 40-5 victory over South Africa in the opening match of the women's Rugby World Cup at Auckland's Eden Park on Saturday.
The match was the first in a triple-header at the spiritual home of New Zealand rugby, where a record crowd for a standalone women's sporting event in the country is expected before the day is out.
Only a smattering of fans gathered in the 50,000-seat arena at the start of the first Pool C clash, but they were treated to some fine early tries as France, who finished third at the last two World Cups, took a 19-0 lead after 17 minutes.
Sansus ran through a gaping hole in the defence off the back of a rolling maul, centre Emilie Boulard latched onto a chip ahead from flyhalf Caroline Drouin and winger Gabrielle Vernier ran in an intercept for the third score.