Rampant Ireland claim statement win over Boks Women

MATCH REPORT: Ireland made a massive statement with a comfortable 40-27 victory over South Africa in the first of two Tests at Athlone Stadium on Saturday.

The fifth-ranked side in the World Rugby rankings showed their class throughout the encounter, looking comfortable for large periods of the match.

Ireland outscored the Springbok Women six tries to five despite receiving two yellow cards during a fiercely contested encounter.

The visitors held a 21-17 lead at half-time after an entertaining first half in which both sides crossed the try line three times.

However, Ireland turned on the style after the break, adding four more tries to secure an impressive victory.

It was a special occasion for Yonela Ngxingolo, who was celebrating her 50th Test cap. The prop became only the second Springbok Women player to reach the milestone.

South Africa got proceedings underway and immediately tried to take control with their maul. However, they were halted just short of the Irish try line.

Despite enjoying much of the possession, the Springbok Women were let down by handling errors, allowing Ireland to draw first blood.

The Irish set up an attack from a successful lineout and, after some excellent interplay, Aoife Dalton scored the opening try of the match. Dannah O’Brien added the conversion to give Ireland a 7-0 lead after seven minutes.

Minutes later, Ireland looked set to score again, but resolute defence by the Springboks nullified their attack.

South Africa finally got on the scoreboard in the 20th minute after a wayward Irish lineout. From a counterattack, Catha Jacobs found Aseza Hele on the inside, and the No.8 powered through with strong leg drive to dot down in the corner.

Ireland were reduced to 14 players when captain Erin King was shown a yellow card for a dangerous tackle on Unam Tose in the 23rd minute.

The Springbok Women took full advantage of the extra player, spreading the ball wide before strong running by Charlie brought them into the red zone. Vainah Ubisi eventually stretched over the line for the five-pointer, with Jakkie Cilliers adding the conversion to put South Africa ahead 12-7.

Ireland responded immediately. After multiple close-range carries, Linda Djougang powered over the line to level matters. O’Brien added the conversion to restore Ireland’s lead.

Back to 15 players, Ireland continued to face pressure from the Springboks. Tose opted for the blindside and sent Maria Tshiremba over for South Africa’s third try.

Ireland were desperate to hit back and controlled the closing stages of the half, but South Africa initially managed to keep them at bay.

Nevertheless, Ireland had another opportunity and opted for a quick tap. After multiple strong carries, Jane Clohessy powered over the line, with O’Brien adding the conversion to give Ireland a 21-17 lead at the break.

Ireland started the second half in sublime fashion, extending their lead when Béibhinn Parsons scored in the corner to make it 26-17.

Unforced errors proved costly for the Springboks, with one of them coming from Byrhandre Dolf’s chip kick, which handed Ireland possession inside the South African 22.

The visitors launched a superb counterattack, with captain King making amends for her earlier yellow card by scoring Ireland’s next try. O’Brien added the conversion to stretch the lead to 33-17.

Ireland continued to threaten, and another Springbok error from a scrum appeared to result in a try for Aoibheann Reilly. However, the effort was chalked off after the referee spotted a knock-on by Brittany Hogan, leaving the score at 33-17.

Ireland were reduced to 14 players for a second time, and the Springbok Women capitalised.

A quick tap by Dolf set up a promising attack, which was finished off by Lerato Makua for South Africa’s fourth try.

With 10 minutes remaining, Ireland held a 33-22 lead as the contest continued to heat up.

The visitors had the final say on the scoreboard, though, as Djougang powered over the line after multiple close-range attempts to score her second try of the match. O’Brien added the conversion to bring Ireland to 40 points.

The Springbok Women managed to secure a consolation try before the final whistle. A cross-kick from Mary Zulu was neatly collected by Alichia Arries, who finished in the corner to bring the score to 40-27.

Despite a spirited effort from South Africa, Ireland’s clinical finishing and ability to punish errors proved decisive in the first Test.

The scorers:

For South Africa:
Tries: Hele, Ubisi, Tshiremba, Makua, Arries.
Con: Cilliers

For Ireland:
Tries: Dalton, Djougang 2, Clohessy. Parsons, King
Cons: O’Brien 4

Yellow cards: Erin King (Ireland, 23 – dangerous tackle), Anna McGann (Ireland, 65 – repeated infringements)

Teams: 

South Africa: 15 Jakkie Cilliers, 14 Alichia Arries, 13 Maceala Samboya, 12 Shiniqwa Lamprecht, 11 Maria Tshiremba, 10 Byrhandre Dolf, 9 Unam Tose, 8 Aseza Hele, 7 Lerato Makua, 6 Sizophila Solontsi, 5 Catha Jacobs; 4 Vainah Ubisi, 3 Xoliswa Khuzwayo, 2 Anushka Groenewald, 1 Sanelisiwe Charlie
Replacements: 16 Lindelwa Gwala, 17 Yonela Ngxingolo, 18 Thandile Mazwi, 19 Danelle Lochner, 20 Logan Welman, 21 Aphiwe Ngwevu, 22 Anacadia Minnaar, 23 Mary Zulu.

Ireland: 15 Stacey Flood, 14 Béibhinn Parsons, 13 Anna McGann, 12 Aoife Dalton, 11 Robyn O’Connor, 10 Dannah O’Brien, 9 Emily Lane, 8 Brittany Hogan, 7 Erin King (captain), 6 Fiona Tuite-O’Sullivan, 5 Dorothy Wall, 4 Jane Clohessy, 3 Eilís Cahill, 2 Neve Jones, 1 Linda Djougang
Replacements: 16 Beth Buttimer, 17 Niamh O’Dowd, 18 Sadhbh McGrath, 19 Kate Jordan, 20 Grace Moore, 21 Jemima Adams Verling, 22 Aoibheann Reilly, 23 Eve Higgins.

Referee: Jess Ling (RA)
Assistant Referees: Precious Pazani (ZRU) & Giana Viljoen (SARU)
TMO: Matteo Liperini (FIR)