South Africa on brink of Women's Rugby World Cup quarter-finals

South Africa beat Italy for the first time in their history with a 29-24 victory in York to leave them on the brink of a first Women's Rugby World Cup quarter-final, which will be confirmed if France beat Brazil later on Sunday.

Ireland and New Zealand booked their quarter-final places from Pool C earlier in the day, and South Africa appear odds-on to join them following a nervous win over the Italians.

South Africa raced into a 17-5 lead early on, but Italy improved in the second period and fought back to 24-24 heading into the final five minutes.

South Africa's powerful forwards had the upper hand all game and Sinazo Mcatshulwa burrowed over from close range for the winning score to spark wild scenes of celebration.

"This was amazing, shout-out to the team, we came out and had a job to do," flyhalf Libbie Janse van Rensburg said.

"We said we were going to be direct. This is massive, we talked about making history for women's rugby in South Africa and we did that."

Ireland held off a spirited Spain to win their Pool C clash 43-27 as they ran in seven tries in an entertaining encounter. Their 43 points is a new record at the World Cup for the side.

Wing Anna McGann and number eight Grace Moore bagged two tries each, to go with scores for flyhalf Dannah O'Brien, wing Amee Leigh Costigan and centre Eve Higgins.

Ireland led 24-12 at halftime, but Spain kept coming and scored five tries themselves.

"We knew Spain would come out firing and they pushed us right to the end," Ireland prop Ellena Perry told BBC. "We needed front-foot ball and that was difficult, but we did that and are delighted with the win."

Braxton Sorensen-McGee scored a hat-trick of tries for New Zealand as they claimed a 62-19 victory over Japan.

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