Canadian women rout South Africa in 1st outing since Rugby World Cup

Fancy Bermudez, a sevens player in her 15s international debut, and Sabrina Poulin each scored two tries as Canada thumped South Africa 66-7 Saturday in its first match since finishing fourth at the Women's Rugby World Cup in November in New Zealand.

The game was a warmup for the fourth-ranked Canadian women ahead of next Saturday's Pacific Four Series opener against the seventh-ranked U.S., also to be played at Estadio Nacional de la Universidad Complutense de Madrid.

The seventh-ranked Americans defeated No. 11 Spain 20-14 earlier Saturday.

Canada led 35-0 at the half and likely could have had a bigger advantage had it not been for inopportune handling errors and penalties. The Canadians also dominated in the second half but rust continued to show with errant passes and infractions.

South Africa made its own share of mistakes.

DaLeaka Menin, Sarah-Maude Lachance, Paige Farries, Julia Schell, Marie-Pier Fauteux and Renee Gonzalez also scored tries for Canada, which dominated in the scrum and lineout. Captain Sophie de Goede kicked six conversions, including several from the touchline, while Emma Taylor added a pair.

Nomawethu Mabenge scored the lone South Africa try. LibbieJanse van Rensburg booted a conversion.

Veteran lock Tyson Beukeboom earned cap No. 57 for Canada, second only to the retired Gillian Florence's 66 caps.

The Canadian women beat South Africa 53-15 the last time they played, at the 2013 Nations Cup in Colorado.

The Canadians attacked from the opening kickoff Saturday, marching down the field thanks to a well-placed 50-22 kick. But the offensive ended in Canada being penalized for holding on in the tackle near the South Africa goal line.

The Canadians went ahead 7-0 with a converted try by Menin in the