Resilient Bok Women make Canada work hard for victory

MATCH REPORT: The Springbok Women had an admirable outing in their second Test against Canada, going down 5-33 in Gqeberha on Saturday.

It was a brave and gutsy performance by the Bok Women and they showed that they are making giant strides in the women’s game.

Having conceded eight tries to Canada in Pretoria last weekend, they only conceded five in this Eastern Cape clash, two of which came late in the game to give the visitors a more satisfying result.

It was a tough day at the office for the Bok Women, who couldn’t get any points on the scoreboard in the first half but managed to limit Canada to two converted tries in the first 40 minutes.

In terms of defence the Bok Women always put in a strong performance, but when it came to attack, they lacked speed, step, and slick handling skills.

Canada’s first try came as they recycled the ball quickly, and prop Brittany Kassil got over early in the game.

Two yellow cards followed for the visitors, but even with 13 players, Canada managed to camp out in the Bok women’s 22, and one felt it was only a question of time before they scored their second try.

After 35 minutes of play, it came at the hands of Gillian Boag, barely sneaking the ball over the line after some resilient defence by South Africa.

Injuries once again played havoc for Canada, also an indication of how tough these South African women are, going hard in the hits.

At times, it seemed the hosts were working hard not to score. They were too flat and static, and there was a real need to shift the ball faster. Eloise Webb, in at No. 10, was not as effective, holding on to the ball for too long.

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A beauty of a break by Zintle Mpupha right through the middle looked like a certain try, but she didn’t have the pace and couldn’t put ball to boot.

At halftime, Canada was leading by 14-0, a score not too far out of reach for Swys de Bruin’s charges.

Canada started the second half strong, playing the territorial game and pinning the Bok Women down in their own half.

But then the Bok women marched upfield through the efforts of Nadine Roos, and finally Ayanda Malinga got over in the far corner for their first try.

They sucked in the defenders and released the ball out wide quickly for the winger to finish it off.

Jakkie Cilliers could not convert, and it was a nine-point game for the hosts.

As the Springbok Women’s backline struggled to gain ascendancy, constantly backpaddling and scrambling, Canada’s Carissa Norsten scored her first try on debut for her country.

After an hour, Canada was leading 19-5.

The first real moment of brilliance for the South Africans came through a perfectly worked move in midfield, sending Cilliers cantering down the middle. The ball was sent wide, and Dolf was bundled into touch five metres from the line.

Points were there for the taking, but sadly, the ball was stolen on the ground, and the visitors launched a counterattack.

In the last quarter, the Bok Women had lots of opportunities, but handling and decision-making let them down. Under pressure, in Canada’s 22, they didn’t show composure to keep the ball alive.

Cilliers got her marching orders in the 73rd minute for slapping the ball down, and immediately Canada attacked, which resulted in their captain, Tyson Beukeboom, scoring their fourth try.

The best try of the day came with just three minutes to go as Canada’s wing Krissy Scurfield sprinted down the opposite side, beating all the defenders with pure speed.

The final whistle went with Canada victorious by 33-5.

It was a difficult encounter, but coach Swys de Bruin will be pleased with the defensive effort of the women and only conceding five tries against the second-best team in the world.

The South Africans’ set-piece let them down, while the backline struggled to fire.

The scorers:

For South Africa:
Tries: Malinga

For Canada:
Tries: Kassil, Boag, Norsten, Beukeboom, Scurfield
Cons: Schell 2, Grant 2

Yellow cards: Pam Buisa (Canada, 16′ – high tackle); Olivia DeMerchant (Canada, 20′ – illegally stopping a maul); Jakkie Cilliers (South Africa, 73′ – slapping the ball down)

Teams:

South Africa Women: 15 Byrhandré Dolf, 14 Jakkie Cilliers, 13 Zintle Mpupha, 12 Libbie Janse van Rensburg, 11 Ayanda Malinga, 10 Eloise Webb, 9 Nadine Roos, 8 Aseza Hele, 7 Catha Jacobs, 6 Sizophila Solontsi, 5 Danelle Lochner, 4 Nolusindiso Booi (captain), 3 Babalwa Latsha, 2 Micke Gunter, 1 Sanelisiwe Charlie.
Replacements: 16 Luchell Hanekom, 17 Yonela Ngxingolo, 18 Azisa Mkiva, 19 Nomsa Mokwai, 20 Sinazo Mcatshulwa, 21 Lerato Makua, 22 Unam Tose, 23 Chumisa Qawe.

Canada Women: 15 Julia Schell, 14 Krissy Scurfield, 13 Shoshanah Seumanutafa, 12 Maddy Grant, 11 Carissa Norsten, 10 Claire Gallagher, 9 Justine Pelletie, 8 Gabrielle Senft, 7 Karen Paquin, 6 Pamphinette Buisa, 5 Laetitia Royer, 4 Tyson Beukeboom, 3 Olivia DeMerchant, 2 Gillian Boag, 1 Brittany Kassil
Replacements: 16 Taylor McKnight, 17 Mikiela Nelson, 18 Rori Wood, 19 Courtney O’Donnell, 20 Rachel Smith, 21 Sophie de Goede, 22 Olivia Apps, 23 Florence Symonds

Referee: Precious Pazani (Zimbabwe)
Assistant Referees: Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa), Zoe Naude (South Africa)
TMO: Christie du Preez (South Africa)