The Springbok Women held on against a gutsy Kenya Lionesses to claim a fifth successive Rugby Africa Women's Cup title with a 35-20 victory (halftime 7-8) in a real nail-biter in Nairobi.
The South Africans trailed by a point at the break, but three second-half tries in a purple patch – and one after the siren – were deserved reward for their general dominance, although Kenya refused to lie down and kept their hopes alive with two tries in the final 13 minutes.
The Springboks’ three tries in that third quarter – from centre Naima Hlatshwayo, No 8 Logan Welman, and left wing Jakkie Cilliers – came in a burst of 17 minutes as their ball retention and quick recycling left the Kenyan defence short of numbers on each occasion.
Kenya’s late burst put the game back into the melting pot with the second score – impressive flyhalf Sinaida Mokaya running the ball back down the left touch from an errant kick – closing the gap to two points with five minutes remaining.
However, two penalty goals by Cilliers and a conversion of an after-the-siren try by replacement Ntsako Mbombi – her first for South Africa – from a lineout drive gave comfort on the scoreboard that the Bok Women probably never felt.
They had had the better of territory and possession in the first half but couldn’t make the advantage tell against a Kenya team that was resolute in defence and ferocious at the breakdown.
Three times at the end of the opening period they forced the turnovers at the ruck – usually by exploiting a lack of ball security by the Bok Women. They ended the half with a penalty from such a turnover to take a one-point lead into the break after overhauling SA’s early lead.
Right wing Alichia Arries showed great power and determination to force herself over by the corner flag after a succession of drives had been held up close to the line. Cilliers produced a superb touchline conversion.
But any assumptions that the Springbok Women might cruise to another title were disabused by a fired-up Kenyan Lionesses, revelling in playing in front of their home crowd.
Centres Faith Livoi and Moreen Muritu packed an explosive and pacey threat. It was the former who got the Kenyan’s first points. She broke the Bok defence on halfway and after she was hauled down and the ball was recycled, she profited from a wicked bounce from Mokaya’s kick ahead to touchdown.
Mokaya added a penalty from in front to give Kenya the lead in the 30th minute and set up that thrilling second half.
Scorers:
Kenya: Tries: Faith Livoi, Knight Otuoma, Sinaida Mokaya. Conversion: Sinaida Mokaya. Penalty: Sinaida Mokaya.
South Africa: Tries: Alichia Arries, Naima Hlatshwayo, Logan Welman, Jakkie Cilliers, Ntsako Mbombi. Conversions: Jakkie Cilliers (2). Penalties: Jakkie Cilliers (2).