Despite their 14-19 loss to New Zealand, the Springbok Women's Sevens team issued a brilliant warning to their opposition in the HSBC SVNS series playing with flair and defending like demons. The current HSBC SVNS champions, New Zealand scored the winning try with only 30 seconds left to play.
In a brilliant start for the Springboks Nadine Roos crashed over the New Zealand tryline to lead 07-00 with 3 minutes left to play in the first half. New Zealand responded 2 minutes later when Manaia Nuku's speed out wide was too much for the Springboks. However, Maria Tshiremba secured the Springboks lead at the halftime break when she scored a long-distance try following some great work on the ground. The Springboks led 14-05 at the halftime break.
Unfortunately, spring try scorer Maria Tshirenga was sent off with a yellow card with 4 minutes to go. The space on defence saw Jazmin Felix-Hotham cut through the Springboks defence to cut the Springboks lead to 14-12. With 30 seconds to play, Sara Hirini cut through the brilliant defence of the Springboks to score the winning try for New Zealand. New Zealand won 19-14
Scorers:
Springbok Women's Sevens: Tries: Nadine Roos, Maria Tshirenga. Conversions: Nadine Roos (2).
New Zealand: Tries: Mahina Paul, Jazmin Felix-Hotham, Sara Hirini. Conversion: Risi Pouri-Lane (2).
Teams:
Springbok Women's Sevens: Zintle Mpupha, Libbie Janse van Rensburg, Simankele Namba, Mathrin Simmers, Ayanda Malinga, Nadine Roos, Rights Mkhari. Replacements: Liske Lategan, Asisipho Plaatjies, Kyla de Vries, Maria Tshirema, Marilze de Bruin.
New Zealand: Manaika Nuku, Jorja Miller, Shiray Kaka, Tenika Willison, Mahina Paul, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, Sarah Hirini. Replacements: Stacey Waaka, Risi Pouri-Lane, Alena Saili, Kelly Brazier, Jazmin Felix-Hotnam.
