The Springbok Women defeated New Zealand’s Black Ferns XV by 41-24 at the Athlone Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday, to level the series 1-1 and build valuable momentum as their eyes turn to the Rugby World Cup, which kicks off in 20 days’ time in England.
After going so close last week against the Kiwis at the same venue, the Bok Women turned up the heat through their powerful pack on a dry winter’s evening, which laid the foundation for a remarkable victory in front of an appreciative crowd.
The South Africans held a 24-12 halftime advantage, scoring four tries and two conversions, and kicked on in the second half by scoring a further three tries to outscore their opponents by seven tries to four.
The first half delivered six tries of this exciting contest. The home side again impressed in the tight phases, with their scrum earning valuable penalties, their strong ball carriers gaining numerous metres, and their rush defence smothering New Zealand’s dangerous strike runners.
Left wing Ayanda Malinga opened the scoring for the Bok Women when she scooped on a loose ball to score out wide, which was a result of the SA defensive pressure. Then fleet-footed fullback Byrhandré Dolf collected her own grubber kick to score the home side’s second try.
However, Black Ferns XV outside centre Kelsey Teneti showed her class when she cut through the SA defence to score their first try, only for Libbie Janse van Rensburg to convert the Bok Women’s considerable pressure into a third try near the upright.
With the wind in their sails now, the Bok Women produced their best try of the half when prop Yonela Ngxingolo, running hard on an inside line after a clever lineout move, burst through the opposing defence for try number four in the opening half, stretching the lead to 24-7.
However, a lapse in defence led to skipper Holly Greenway scoring the visitors’ second try from broken play to bring them back into the game just when the South Africans threatened to add to their first-half tally, taking the halftime score to 24-12.
After halftime, NZ hooker Luka Connor caught the SA defence napping when she wasn’t held in the tackle and barged over for their third try, the second to be converted by King to move them within striking distance of the home side at 24-19.
But once more, the South African forwards showed their power when Lindelwa Gwala (hooker) went over for their fifth try of the afternoon following another successful lineout maul, to stretch their advantage to 29-19.
Another maul try followed barely five minutes later, this time Lerato Makua (flanker) was the beneficiary of another excellent effort by the forward pack.
The NZ women showed their grit to stay in the fight when they crafted a good team try, scored by right wing Justine McGregor, who was sent over after the forwards managed to generate some quick ball from where the backs did the rest. This unconverted try reduced their deficit to 36-24 with 10 minutes remaining on the clock.
Fittingly, the Bok Women scored their last try through a typical forward surge, when replacement hooker Luchell Hanekom went over for a try that was awarded after a review by the TMO, with the referee also sending off the Kiwi replacement hooker for a repeated team offence. With time running out, the South Africans then managed to keep NZ at bay to achieve a famous victory.
Scorers:
Springbok Women 41 (24) – Tries: Ayanda Malinga, Byrhandré Dolf, Libbie Janse van Rensburg, Yonela Ngixingolo, Lindelwa Gwala, Lerato Makua, Luchell Hanekom. Conversions: Libbie Janse van Rensburg (3).
Black Ferns XV 24 (12) – Tries: Kelsey Teneti, Holly Greenway, Luka Connor, Justine McGregor. Conversions: Hannah King (2).
