Australia, Japan, Canada and France book women’s semi-final places.

The second day of the women’s competition at the 2026 FISU World University Championship Rugby Sevens in Stellenbosch delivered drama, big performances, and several closely fought encounters as Australia, Japan, Canada and France booked their places in Sunday’s semi-finals. Australia edged Canada 17-14 in a thrilling pool encounter before overcoming the USA 28-15 in the quarter-finals, while Japan came from 12-0 down to beat Ireland 14-12 and Canada ended the hosts’ campaign with a 24-14 victory over South Africa.

Australia continues to lead the individual and team scoring charts, with 151 points and 23 tries, closely followed by Canada on 119 points, while Ireland has the second most tries with 17. Leilani Hills remains the leading individual scorer with 50 points and 10 tries, followed by Maronay Smuts on 32 points and six tries, while Abbi Spooner of Australia and Emma Buxton of the USA have contributed 30 points.

The semi-final line-up is now confirmed, with Australia facing Canada and Japan taking on France as the four remaining teams chase a place in Sunday’s final.

Check the FISU fixtures for the full Day 3 schedule and make sure you follow the final day of women’s action at the Danie Craven Stadium here: https://fisu.sportscap.co.za/integrations/fixtures?id=13&tournamentId=608&hidebackButton=true

Ireland makes light work of Botswana
Ireland opened Day 2 with a commanding 62-0 victory over Botswana, racing into a 29-0 half-time lead before continuing their onslaught after the break.

The Irish were particularly dangerous from restarts, repeatedly regaining possession or finding space immediately after the kick-off. Lyndsay Clarke scored twice in the opening half, while Ireland’s handling and support play proved too much for Botswana as they ran in 10 unanswered tries.

Scores:
Ireland 62 (29)
Tries: Lyndsay Clarke (2), Chisom Ugwueru (2), Leah Irwin, Amy Larn, Heidi Lyons, Caitriona O’Hagan, Ellen O’Sullivan Sexton, Alex Connor
Cons: Ellen O’Sullivan Sexton (3), Clare Gorman (2), Caoimhe McCormack
Botswana 0 (0)

Australia snatches dramatic win over Canada
Australia produced a late comeback to beat Canada 17-14 in one of the day’s most tightly contested matches.

Canada took an early lead through Ivy Poetker before Australia responded through Kya Horridge and Leilani Hills. Aiva Fenton’s superb 75-metre run restored Canada’s advantage at 14-10 at half-time, but Hills had the final say, breaking through on the last play of the match, with Maronay Smuts converting.

Australia 17 (10)
Tries: Leilani Hills (2), Kya Horridge
Con: Maronay Smuts
Canada 14 (14)
Tries: Ivy Poetker, Ava Van Santen
Cons: Ava Ference, Megan Allard

Japan fights back to draw with France
Japan produced a stirring late fightback to draw 12-12 with France after trailing 12-0 at half-time.

Iris Renaudin and Iness Zeze gave France a commanding lead, with Zeze showing tremendous strength to fend off several defenders before finishing in the corner. Japan refused to surrender, with Kaoru Fujiwara scoring twice in the closing stages to level the contest, although Riko Kato was unable to convert the final try.

France 12 (12)
Tries: Iris Renaudin, Iness Zeze
Con: Margaux Dufros
Japan 12 (0)
Tries: Kaoru Fujiwara (2)
Con: Riko Kato

USA end South Africa’s campaign
The USA proved too strong for the hosts, beating South Africa 31-12 after leading 10-5 at half-time.

Emma Buxton scored twice in the opening half and completed her hat-trick shortly after the restart as the Americans began to pull away. South Africa responded through Fatoume Yalcoue and Thobile Msizazwe, but Olivia Baptiste’s converted try sealed the victory for the USA.

South Africa 12 (5)
Tries: Fatoume Yalcoue, Thobile Msizazwe
Con: Elme Kruger
USA 31 (10)
Tries: Emma Buxton (3), Leah Lockerman, Olivia Baptiste
Cons: Julia Murray, Leah Lockerman, Alyssa Cunningham

Australia book semi-final place
Australia secured the first semi-final berth after overcoming the USA 28-15 in the opening quarter-final.

The USA made a strong start, but Australia responded through a Leilani Hills hat-trick and a further try from Brianna Worsfold. Hills’ three tries proved decisive as Australia produced a strong second-half performance to book their place in the final four.

USA 15 (10)
Tries: Emma Buxton (2), Alyssa Cunningham
Australia 28 (7)
Tries: Leilani Hills (3), Brianna Worsfold
Cons: Bonnie Brewer, Abbi Spooner (3)

Japan complete comeback against Ireland
Japan overturned a 12-0 half-time deficit to beat Ireland 14-12 and secure their place in the semi-finals.

Amy Larn and Chisom Ugwueru gave Ireland a commanding advantage, but Japan stayed disciplined and eventually found a way back through Yuina Yamamoto and Kano Hashimoto. Nodoka Miyamoto and Hinano Sugimoto provided the crucial conversions as the defending champions completed the comeback.

Japan 14 (0)
Tries: Yuina Yamamoto, Kano Hashimoto
Cons: Nodoka Miyamoto, Hinano Sugimoto
Ireland 12 (12)
Tries: Amy Larn, Chisom Ugwueru
Con: Clare Gorman

Canada end hosts’ campaign
Canada ended South Africa’s tournament with a 24-14 quarter-final victory after establishing a 17-0 half-time lead.

Ava Van Santen scored twice, with Ivy Poetker and Corine Bellavance also crossing as Canada
made their early dominance count. The hosts fought back through Elme Kruger and Siyonela Macamba, but Canada had done enough to secure their place in the final four.

South Africa 14 (0)
Tries: Elme Kruger, Siyonela Macamba
Cons: Elme Kruger (2)
Canada 24 (17)
Tries: Ava Van Santen (2), Ivy Poetker, Corine Bellavance
Cons: Ava Ference (2)

France advance after Botswana withdrawal
France advanced to the semi-finals after Botswana withdrew from their quarter-final encounter.

The result means France will meet Japan in Sunday’s semi-final, while Australia will face Canada in the other last-four encounter.