Ruthless Bok Women make statement against Fiji
MATCH REPORT: The Springbok Women kicked off their tour to Fiji in emphatic fashion, beating the Fijiana XV 55-12 at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva on Saturday.
The last time these two sides met was at the 2022 World Cup, where Fiji got the better of the Bok Women.
However, a lot has changed since then, and it was evident throughout the 80 minutes.
The Bok Women’s pack set the perfect platform. They were incredible at set-piece time and dominated the physical exchanges.
Fiji, under new head coach Willie Walker, showed glimpses of their skill with some great runs, but indiscipline and a failure to convert their chances nullified much of their efforts.
In the end, the Bok Women were simply too good, outscoring Fiji nine tries to two in a comprehensive victory.
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The Springbok Women started like a house on fire and dominated the opening minutes.
The side’s physicality proved too much for Fiji, as their set-piece put the hosts under pressure and helped them take a 10-0 lead after 20 minutes.
The Springboks continued to put in the hard work and, from the back of the maul, Lindelwa Gwala powered over the line to stretch the lead to 15-0.
Lerato Makua made a big impact with strong carries, while Aseza Hele did not miss a beat on her return from injury.
There will be concerns regarding Makua after she left the field prematurely with what appears to be an ankle injury. She was seen on crutches after the final whistle.
Fiji finally hit back in the 26th minutes. Some superb individual brilliance from Varanisese Qoro saw the flyhalf beat two defenders on the touchline before dotting down.
The flyhalf added the conversion to narrow the deficit to just eight points.
While Fiji looked dangerous whenever they had ball in hand, the Boks continued to dominate the physical exchanges.
The visitors once again turned to their forwards, with 23-year-old Vainah Ubisi stretching over the line.
Libbie Janse van Rensburg added the conversion to give the Boks a 22-7 lead.
The visitors then stuck to their strengths, with another powerful driving maul creating the opportunity for Sizophila Solontsi to power over the line.
The conversion was missed but Boks headed to the lockers with a 27-7 lead.
Fiji started the second half with renewed intent.
Excellent footwork from Qoro saw the flyhalf sidestep a defender before sending Western Force wing Adi Vanie Buleki over for Fiji’s second try.
The hosts were beginning to ask more questions of the Bok defence, but their momentum was disrupted when Alfreda Fisher was shown a yellow card for a late hit on Catha Jacobs. The card was later upgraded to a red.
The Boks immediately capitalised.
Fiji conceded a number of penalties, allowing the visitors to establish field position inside the hosts’ 22.
After multiple strong carries, Xoliswa Khuzwayo powered over for her second try of the match.
Byrhandre Dolf took over the kicking duties and added the conversion for a 34-12 lead.
The Boks’ backline then joined the scoring spree.
From a counterattack, Zintle Mphupa showed her pace and attacking skill before putting Boland’s Maceala Samboya over for the seventh Bok try.
Dolf added the conversion to make it 41-12.
Fiji enjoyed a period of possession and looked dangerous as they camped inside the Boks’ five-metre area.
They put together several phases, but a knock-on brought their promising attack to an end.
The Boks, in contrast, continued to make their opportunities count.
After a couple of strong runs, fullback Dolf went over the chalk and then converted her own try to make it 48-12.
With time running out, the Bok Women continued to apply pressure through their pick-and-go attack.
Sinelitha Noxeke eventually forced her way over for another try, with Dolf adding the conversion to complete a convincing 55-12 victory.
Player of the match: There is little doubt that the Bok Women’s pack were at the heart of the victory. Nomsa Mokwai and Vainah Ubisi deserve special mention for their work rate and powerful carries, while Byrhandre Dolf was outstanding at the back and particularly impressive with the boot. Anacadia Minnaar also deserves recognition for the way she dictated play and disrupted Fiji at the breakdown. But our nod goes to Xoliswa Khuzwayo. The prop put in a massive shift, consistently carried hard and capped her performance with a brace of tries.
The scorers:
For Fiji:
Tries: Qoro, Buleki
Cons: Qoro
For South Africa:
Tries: Khuzwayo 2, Mdliki, Gwala, Ubisi, Solontsi, Samboya, Dolf, Noxeke
Cons: Janse van Rensburg, Dolf 4
Red card: Alfreda Fisher (Fiji, 45 – dangerous and late tackle)
Teams:
Fiji: 15 Litiana Vueti, 14 Adi Vanie Buleki, 13 Merewairita Neivoha, 12 Ruth Raketekete, 11 Repeka Tove, 10 Varanisese Qoro, 9 Kolora Lomani (Captain), 8 Alfreda Fisher, 7 Adi Salaseini Railumu, 6 Nunia Daunimoala, 5 Karavaki Lutumaibau, 4 Mereoni Nakesa, 3 Tiana Robanakadavu, 2 Bitila Tawake, 1 Karalaini Naisewa.
Replacements: 16 Selai Naliva, 17 Elesi Saukuru, 18 Keri Lawavou, 19 Vilisi Tivalele, 20 Jade Coates, 21 Evivi Senikarivi, 22 Ivamere Nabura, 23 Aqela Raitubu.
South Africa: 15 Byrhandré Dolf, 14 Maceala Samboya, 13 Zintle Mpupha, 12 Shiniqwa Lamprecht, 11 Patience Mokone, 10 Libbie Janse van Rensburg (captain), 9 Anacadia Minnaar, 8 Aseza Hele, 7 Lerato Makua, 6 Sizophila Solontsi, 5 Nomsa Mokwai, 4 Vainah Ubisi, 3 Nombuyekezo Mdliki, 2 Lindelwa Gwala, 1 Xoliswa Khuzwayo
Replacements: 16 Anushka Groenewald, 17 Yonela Ngxingolo, 18 Thandile Mazwi, 19 Catha Jacobs, 20 Sinelitha Noxeke, 21 Nobuhle Mjwara, 22 Felicia Jacobs, 23 Alichia Arries.
Referee: Jess Ling (RA)
Assistant Referees: Amber McLachlan (RA) & Erin Doherty (NZR)
TMO: Graham Cooper (RA)
