The Springbok Women went down 26-3 in their opening match against Australia at the Women's World Cup in France.

It was a disappointing result for the team, having entered the tournament with high hopes of progressing past the pool stage for the first time in their history. Having trailed 21-3 at the break they showed great spirit in the second half, but a lack of discipline and numerous handling errors stifled their attacking play.

The South Africans will face the hosts in their second pool match and they'll be hoping to exact some revenge for the 46-8 defeat they suffered in a friendly prior to their tournament.

Their final group match will be against Wales, a team they defeated 15-10 at the Women's World Cup in 2010.

Springbok Women – Penalty: Tayla Kinsey.
Wallabies Women – Tries: Sharni Williams, Ashleigh Hewson, Tricia Brown. Conversion: Ashleigh Hewson. Penalties: Hewson (3).

Springbok Women – 15 Cindy Cant, 14 Veroeshka Grain, 13 Benele Makwezela, 12 Lorinda Brown, 11 Phumeza Gadu, 10 Zenay Jordaan, 9 Tayla Kinsey, 8 Mandisa Williams (c), 7 Vuyolwethu Vazi, 6 Lamla Momoti, 5 Cindy Booi, 4 Celeste Adonis, 3 Cebisa Kula, 2 Denita Wentzel, 1 Asithandile Ntoyanto.
Subs: 16 Thantaswa Macingwana, 17 Nwabisa Ngxatu, 18 Andrea Mentoor, 19 Shona-Leah Weston, 20 Fundiswa Plaatjie, 21 Zandile Nojoko, 22 Siviwe Basweni.

Wallabies Women – 15 Ashleigh Hewson, 14 Madeline Putz, 13 Sharni Williams, 12 Cobie-Jane Morgan, 11 Natasha Haines, 10 Tui Ormsby, 9 Nita Maynard, 8 Mollie Grey, 7 Shannon Parry (c), 6 Dalena Dennison, 5 Alisha Hewett, 4 Rebecca Clough, 3 Caroline Vakalahi, 2 Louise Burrows, 1 Oneata Shwalger.
Subs: 16 Margaret Watson, 17 Liz Patu, 18 Michelle Milward, 19 Chloe Butler, 20 Ashley Masters, 21 Hannah Sio, 22 Tricia Brown.

Photo: Natasha Haines/Getty Images