South Africa's Springbok Women has made history
MATCH REPORT: History was made in South African rugby as the Springbok Women advanced to the World Cup quarterfinal for the first time ever after defeating Italy in dramatic fashion in York on Sunday.
The nail biting encounter saw the women in green beat Italy, four places above South Africa on the rankings, by 29-24.
It was also the first time ever they have beaten Italy.
The South Africans started the game doing what they do best, scrum, within the first minute.
And what a scrum it was, powerful as always, and then it was that No.8 Aseza Hele who knows only one way and that’s straight ahead for the first try of the game.
The Azzure hit straight back with a kick downfield after a poorly executed up and under by Unam Tose, but Libbie Janse van Rensburg and Byrhandre Dolf cleaned up nicely.
Five minutes later, it was the second scrum and again the Bok Women showed their power and intent as they advanced up to Italy’s 22.
The Azzure fought to the midfield and after some to and fro, their centurion, scrumhalf Sofia Stefan in her 100th game, almost got around as she came around the corner, but Ayanda Malinga was on hand to defend.
Possession reverted to Italy, playing edge to edge and South Africa were made to work hard in defence.
Unfortunately, a serious injury followed as Italy’s lock Sara Tounes got a hard knock in what looked like a knee to the head and stayed down.
The big scrums by South Africa were winning them battles but silly mistakes creeped into their armour.
Winning another scrum penalty, South Africa opted to go for touch, drilling deep into Italy territory.
A maul followed but the referee called for obstruction.
The Bok Women scored their second after Janse van Rensburg threw a beautiful dummy, she went through and offloaded to Nadine Roos to finish the move.
Dolf added the extras, stretching the Boks to 12-0.
A quick throw-in by Italy saw them advance to five meters in. They spread the ball out wide and with an overlap, easily scored in the opposite corner.
This was Italy’s first points at this World Cup, and they finally got the monkey off their backs.
From setpiece the Springbok Women scored their third, as the ball went out quickly from Janse van Rensburg, Chumisa Qawe, Roos and Ayanda Malinga was the one to finish things off.
South Africa was dominating the set piece in the scrums and line outs and that had put them in a constant front foot to close the gap to within five points (12-17).
With seven minutes to go, Italy got their second. They worked hard with some beautiful interplay, showcasing their Sevens skills.
Three minutes to halftime South Africa opted to pick and go multiple times with their big forwards, into Italian territory.
But good defence saw the Italians win a penalty and they opted to end the half at that note.
South Africa, with Roos now at scrumhalf, came out in earnest, back on attack as their fast backs tested their opposition out wide, but Malinga lost it in contact.
Handling, while still forging ahead, cost them dearly as more possession was lost.
Under pressure, with the Italians five metres, the Bok Women showed composure to work their way out of trouble.
But not for long, as Francesca Sgorbini grabbed the Azzure’s third try, leveling the score at 17-17.
The Bok women launched phase after phase, won a penalty and opted to go for the corner.
A scrum on the five metre gave South Africa a perfect scoring opportunity.
Ngwevu drove forward, passed to Hele but it was held up.
In the next move South Africa’s pack drove forward and Yonela Ngxingolo finally got it down next to the uprights.
South Africa then led 24-17 after 58 minutes.
Hele left the field after an hour, struggling with a niggle after a knock on the leg, replaced by Catha Jacobs. Once again, a mistake by South Africa saw the Azzure kick for touch and started driving.
This was South Africa’s biggest test on the big stage to see if they can hold out the Italians.
For minutes they defended on their tryline.
But eventually they got the try. The conversion was good, and it was level once again at 24-24 with ten minutes to go.
From the kickoff there was obstruction by Italy and Roos kicked for the corner.
Micke Gunter’s first throw at the lineout, just onto the field, was skewed.
But South Africa forged ahead, kept their composure and Sinazo Mcatshulwa got over in close quarters.
Heading into the last five minutes, South Africa put in some big hits, keeping play in midfield.
There was a nervous moment as Janse van Rensburg kept a kick by Italy in field and Roos saved it in the in-goal area.
The flyhalf managed to kick it out from behind the South African poles to end all the drama.
Player of the Match: Libbie Janse van Rensburg was the absolute general – she kicked, tackled, attacked and defended like her life depended on it. By far the best match of her career.
The scorers:
For South Africa:
Tries: Hele, Roos, Malinga, Ngxingolo
Cons: Dolf 2
For Italy:
Tries: Ostuni Minuzzi, Veccheni, Sgorbini, Seye
Cons: Sillari 2
Teams
South Africa: 15 Nadine Roos, 14 Byrhandré Dolf, 13 Zintle Mpupha, 12 Chumisa Qawe, 11 Ayanda Malinga, 10 Libbie Janse van Rensburg, 9 Unam Tose, 8 Aseza Hele, 7 Sinazo Mcatshulwa, 6 Sizophila Solontsi, 5 Danelle Lochner, 4 Nolusindiso Booi (captain), 3 Babalwa Latsha, 2 Lindelwa Gwala, 1 Sanelisiwe Charlie
Replacements: 16 Micke Gunter, 17 Yonela Ngxingolo, 18 Nombuyekezo Mdliki, 19 Vainah Ubisi, 20 Lerato Makua, 21 Catha Jacobs, 22 Eloise Webb, 23 Aphiwe Ngwevu
Italy: 15 Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi, 14 Aura Muzzo, 13 Michela Sillari, 12 Beatrice Rigoni, 11 Alyssa D’Inca, 10 Emma Stevanin, 9 Sofia Stefan, 8 Elisa Giordana Duca, 7 Beatrice Veronese, 6 Francesca Sgorbini, 5 Giordana Duca, 4 Sara Tounesi, 3 Sara Seye, 2 Vittoria Veccheni, 1 Silvia Turani.
Replacements: 16 Layra Gurioli, 17 Emanuela Stecca, 18 Gaia Maris, 19 Valeria Fedrighi, 20 Alissa Ranuccini, 21 Alia Bitonci, 22 Sara Mannini, 23 Francesca Granzotto.
Referee: Ella Goldsmith (RA)
Assistant Referees: Precious Pazani (ZRU), Maria Heitor (FPR)
TMO: Andrew McMenemy (SRU)
