New Zealand v South Africa
Sunday, 12am
The oil: The defending champions against the playoff newcomers. South Africa have made history, qualifying for their first World Cup quarterfinal, after failing to secure a win at the 2022 edition. But they have a tough task against the six-time champion Black Ferns. New Zealand made a statement with a 40-0 victory over Ireland last week and are peaking at the right time. Young Braxton Sorensen-McGee is the competition’s top scorer (38) after back-to-back hat-tricks and also leads for metres made (338) and clean breaks (10). South Africa lost 57-10 to France, but beat Italy and Brazil. They have big ball carriers up front, who have been the driving force for getting the Boks women across the line. Libbie Janse van Rensburg has guided them around the park nicely. They will be without second five Chumisa Qawe, who has been suspended for three games for a dangerous tackle. History says the Black Ferns will come out on top. They last met at the 2010 World Cup, where the Black Ferns walked away with a 55-3 win.
Black Ferns key player: Jorja Miller. The sevens star has been big in contact and catches everyone off guard.
South Africa key player: Aseza Hele. The hard-running No 8 is tough to put down.
Nadine Roos shifts the ball for South Africa.
Canada v Australia
Sunday, 3am
The oil: Canada feel like one of the teams to beat. The world No 2 side are humming and their forward pack is one of the best around. Five of their tries last week were scored by front-rowers. Lock Sophie de Goede has been exceptional, kicking 13 conversions and leading the competition for offloads (10) and runs (52). Fullback Julia Schell has also been in some form, scoring six tries against Fiji. They thumped the Wallaroos 45-7 in May. Australia sneaked into the playoffs on points after a big win over Samoa, a loss to England and a draw with the United States. But they have played some nice rugby and troubled the Red Roses in patches. The Wallaroos need to tidy up their ball handling, after turning over possession 31 times against England last week. Canada will punish if they repeat that.
Canada key player: McKinley Hunt. The prop puts in a big shift upfront and has already scored three tries.
Australia key player: Piper Duck. The flanker has a huge workrate and is second for tackles (58).
France v Ireland
Monday, 12am
The oil: France cruised through their pool with wins over South Africa (57-10), Brazil (84-5) and Italy (24-0). They are skilled across the board but there have been some standouts. Fullback Emilie Boulard has scored four tries and No 8 Charlotte Escudero has been big defensively, making 45 tackles. Ireland were dealt to by the Black Ferns last week, but had good wins over Japan (42-14) and Spain (43-27). After failing to qualify for the 2022 World Cup, they make a welcome return to the playoffs. Irish sevens star Amee Leigh Costigan has scored six tries. But the big news is Aoife Wafer is expected to play after recovering from knee surgery and missing the round robin games. Wafer has been massive for Ireland in recent years on the side of the scrum and was named the Six Nations player of the tournament earlier this year. France have the edge after a 27-15 victory over Ireland in March.
France key player: Madoussou Fall Raclot. The 43-cap lock is an enforcer for the French.
Ireland key player: Amee-Leigh Costigan. The quick winger can score from anywhere.
England v Scotland
Monday, 3am
England key player: Jess Breach. The winger has scored six tries already and is hard to put down with the ball in hand.
Scotland key player: Francesca McGhie. Scotland have their own high-flying winger, who has also dotted down six times and is second for metres carried (304).
