South Africa bounce back from defeat to Australia in last week's Rugby Championship opener - earning a battling 30-22 victory over the Wallabies in soggy Cape Town.

South Africa were far from convincing against Australia in Saturday’s Rugby Championship clash, but for coach Rassie Erasmus, victory after a shock defeat one week ago was the key outcome.

New Zealand began its defence of the Women's Rugby World Cup by scratching a 54-8 win over Spain in York on Sunday. The Black Ferns were comfortable eight-try winners — with only 13 players for the last quarter — but at the possible cost of flanker Kaipo Olsen-Baker, who suffered a right leg injury and was carried off the field in tears.