Scrumhalf Laure Sansus crossed twice as France beat a stubborn South Africa 40-5 in the opening match of the women’s Rugby World Cup in Auckland on Saturday.

Sansus and flyhalf Caroline Drouin shone for the French, who raced 19-0 clear inside the first quarter at a half-full Eden Park but only made the game safe with three tries inside the final 15 minutes.

France are among the leading contenders to win the ninth edition of the tournament, which opened under sunny skies for the first leg of a triple-header.

France had to work harder than expected to see off the South Africans, who they had beaten by an average margin of 45 points in their three previous meetings.

Elusive runner Sansus, who was named player of the tournament in this year’s European Six Nations, broke clear to score in the second minute.

The classy Drouin set up the second try with a chip which was gathered superbly by centre Gabrielle Vernier before French wing Emilie Boulard raced 45 metres for the third via an intercept.

World 11th-ranked South Africa had the better of the middle stages, despite a yellow card shown to flank Sizophila Solontsi.

Their physicality set up a 60th-minute try to wing Nomawethu Mabenge, prompting France to regather.

Sansus crashed over for her second score before Drouin put her touch on the closing stages. She crossed for a try herself and then set up a last-gasp five-pointer for wing Joanna Grisez through another pinpoint tactical kick.

© Agence France-Presse

Photo: Twitter/@WomenBoks