The Springbok Women's Sevens team overcame Kenya 19-10 in a hard-fought final of the Rugby Africa Women's Sevens in Ghana on Sunday to retain their continental crown and qualify for the World Rugby Challenger Series to be played next year.
It was a hard-fought win as two Kenya tries, early in each half, twice handed the East Africans the lead, while the Springbok Women also conceded two yellow cards in the final, adding to their problems.
Kenya scored first in the final, played at the University of Ghana's Rugby Stadium in Accra, to take the lead after only two minutes. Not only was this the first points conceded by South Africa, but also the first time they trailed in six matches played.
A try by Ayanda Malinga levelled matters, but the outside back then conceded a yellow card for a high tackle late in the first half.
Kenya used their numerical advantage at the start of the second half, getting a second try to take the lead again, but the class of the South Africans came through in the end. Felica Jacobs showed her value as an impact player with two tries in the last five minutes, with the second, on the buzzer, extending a 12-10 lead to a 19-10 win.
The Bok Women Sevens were slow out of the blocks in their semi-final against Madagascar, with the islanders managing to keep South Africa away from their try line for four minutes. A try by Nadine Roos and another by Mathrin Simmers, following a quick tap penalty, opened up a 14-0 lead at the break.
The second half was one-way traffic though. Roos scored twice to claim a hat-trick and two more by Jacobs and Maria Tshiremba pushed the score past 40. Roos converted all six tries.
In their quarter-final clash against Senegal, the South Africans delivered a commanding performance and dominated possession and territory.
They scored eight tries, four in each half, with Malinga, Liske Lategan and Jacobs scoring two apiece. The second try by Jacobs was an absolute gem with two steps of her right foot and good acceleration stunning at least five would-be defenders.
Scorers:
South Africa 50 (31), Senegal (0)
SA - Tries: Ayanda Malinga (2), Liske Lategan (2), Nadine Roos, Leigh Fortuin, Felicia Jacobs (2), Conversions: Roos (4), Zintle Mpupha.
South Africa 42 (14), Madagascar 0 (0)
SA - Tries: Nadine Roos (3), Mathrin Simmers, Felicia Jacobs, Maria Tshiremba. Conversions: Roos (6).
South Africa 19 (5), Kenya 10 (5)
SA - Tries: Ayanda Malinga, Felician Jacobs (2). Conversions: Nadine Roos (2).
Kenya - Tries: Stellah Wafula, Sharon Auma.