The Springbok Women claimed an historic 34-21 victory over the USA Eagles in their first-ever home Test match on South African soil at 10Bet Ellis Park. South Africa completely dominated the first half, racking up 29 unanswered points to set up a comfortable win.
The Springbok Women took total control early on, dismantling the American defence to build a massive 29-0 lead by the halftime break. Forward Logan Welman led the charge with a standout performance, scoring two of the team's five tries.
The USA Eagles rallied in the second half to score 21 points, but the early deficit proved too steep to overcome. The match ended in a 34-21 win for South Africa, putting an end to a string of past defeats to the USA.
Ayanda Malinga opened the scoring in the sixth minute when she was on hand to take the pass from a rampant Vainah Ubisi, who made great metres before putting the speedster away, with Jakkie Cilliers adding the extras.
The Bok Women kept hammering away at the US defence and Unam Tose was next over the line in the 12th minute, with Babalwa Latsha adding her name to the score sheet midway through the half in similar fashion as they remained patient on attack.
Logan Welman then added wo tries in the last 10 minutes of the half, both from attacking scrums with the second converted by Cilliers, to give the South Africans a big lead at the break.
Almost from the restart, the impressive Ubisi finished after a period of sustained pressure by the South Africans to push their lead to 34-0.
The USA then started to find some rhythm, but they could not breach the green defensive wall, as Swys de Bruin sent on some fresh legs 10 minutes into the second half.
Almost an hour in, the USA finally breached the SA line when Freda Tafuna crashed over, with Annabella Vogel adding the extras to make it 34-7.
Six minutes later, it was 34-14 after Tessa Hann broke through the Bok Women's defence before Ashley Cowdrey scored next to the posts, with unforced errors creeping into the South Africans' game.
Another error by the host team allowed Elizabeth Cook to worm her way over the tryline with four minutes to go from a series of pick-and-drives to make it 34-21, but it was too little too late as the Bok Women celebrated a famous victory.
Scorers:
Springbok Women: Tries: Ayanda Malinga, Aphiwe Ngwevu, Vainah Ubisi, Babalwa Latsha, Logan Welman (2). Conversions: Libbie Janse Van Rensburg, Jakkie Cilliers.
USA: Tries: Freda Tafuna, Elizabeth Cook, Ashley Cowdrey. Conversions: Bella Vogel (2).
South Africa Women: 15 Byrhandré Dolf, 14 Jakkie Cilliers, 13 Ayanda Malinga, 12 Aphiwe Ngwevu, 11 Alichia Arries, 10 Libbie Janse van Rensburg, 9 Unam Tose, 8 Logan Welman, 7 Catha Jacobs, 6 Sizophila Solontsi, 5 Danelle Lochner, 4 Vainah Ubisi, 3 Babalwa Latsha (c), 2 Micke Gunter, 1 Sanelisiwe Charlie. Replacements: 16 Anushka Groenewald, 17 Yonela Ngxingolo, 18 Thandile Mazwi, 19 Anathi Qolo, 20 Sinelitha Noxeke, 21 Faith Tshauke, 22 Felicia Jacobs, 23 Eloise Webb.
USA: 15 Alev Kelter, 14 Bulou Mataitoga, 13 Telesi Uhatafe, 12 Katana Howard, 11 Ashley Cowdrey, 10 Bella Vogel, 9 Cass Bargell, 8 Freda Tafuna, 7Georgie Perris-Redding (c), 6 Kate Zackary, 5 Hallie Taufoou, 4 Rachel Ehrecke, 3 Reece Woods, 2 Kathryn Treder, 1 Hope Rogers. Replacements: 16 Paige Stathopoulo, 17 Alivia Leatherman, 18 Elizabeth Cook, 19 Kapoina Bailey, 20 Tessa Hann, 21 Hann Humphreys, 22 Olivia Ortiz, 23 Kristin Bitter.