England confirmed their passage to the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup and extended their record-breaking run in the process with a comprehensive romp over South Africa.

The 75-0 success at the Waitakere Stadium in Auckland saw the Red Roses score 13 tries and and take the number of successive test wins to 28.Welwyn Hatfield Times:

Former Welwyn juniors Zoe Harrison and Helena Rowland kicked five conversions between them while there were also starts for Hannah Botterman, once of Datchworth, and Harpenden's Sarah McKenna.

Rosie Galligan and Connie Powell got a hat-trick each while Poppy Cleall and Sadia Kabeya bagged a brace.

Shaunagh Brown, Marlie Packer and Abigail Dow got the others.

 

"I'm thrilled," said head coach Simon Middleton. "We adapted our game through the match by getting the basics sorted after a shaky start.

"It was great to see the players take control of the game. In the second half we talked about being more expressive and playing into the space we were given, and as you can see we can play a bit when we open up."

 

The day ended the group stages and means England will now play Australia back at the Waitakere Stadium on Sunday.

Another former Welwyn player is also through to the last eight.

Lotte Clapp, who went to Sir Fred Osborn's, was part of the USA side they were beaten 29-14 by Canada.

That was enough though for them to qualify as the best third-placed side and they will get another crack at the Canadians.

The winner of that match could play England in the semi-finals.

France against Italy and New Zealand v Wales complete the quarter-final line-up.