Springbok Women hold firm after Italy fightback in WXV thriller
MATCH REPORT: The Springbok Women bounced back in fine style, recording a 41-29 win over Italy in the WXV Global Series at the Stadio Omero Tognon on Saturday.
The Springbok Women outscored Italy six tries to four for the hard-fought victory.
There will be injury concerns as the visitors lost two playmakers, Byrhandre Dolf and Libbie Janse van Rensburg, due to injuries.
Italy came into the contest oozing confidence following their 55-21 win over Japan a week ago, while they also had home-ground advantage on their side.
For South Africa, it was a case of redemption following their 19-50 shock defeat to Wales a week ago.
There was also plenty of history between the two sides, with the last meeting coming at the 2025 World Cup, where the Boks recorded a 29-24 win and ended the Azzurri’s RWC campaign.
But as co-captain Sizophila Solontsi said ahead of the game history counted for nothing.
The Springbok Women made a strong start, with some powerful carries getting them into Italy’s half. However, they conceded back-to-back penalties and relinquished possession, allowing Italy to grow into the contest.
Instead, it was the hosts who drew first blood. Some excellent interplay between the forwards and backs created the opening before winger Alyssa D’Incà finished in the corner to give Italy a 5-0 lead.
The Boks responded almost immediately.
Following an effective lineout maul and some creativity, Western Province hooker Anushka Groenewald powered over for her first Test try. Toulon-bound Jakkie Cilliers added the conversion as South Africa moved 7-5 ahead.
Italy continued to infringe inside their own 22, and playing under advantage, the Boks showed impressive patience.
After several phases, Byrhandre Dolf spotted a gap and powered through for South Africa’s second try in the 14th minute. Cilliers added the extras to stretch the lead to 14-5.
That would be Dolf’s last contribution as she left the field in the 21st minute, with Libbie Janse van Rensburg coming on as her replacement.
The Springbok Women’s power was proving too much for the hosts to handle.
Excellent defensive work by Alichia Arries earned the Boks a lineout inside Italy’s 22, and another powerful rolling maul followed.
Groenewald was at the back of it and the hooker bagged her brace to put South Africa 19-5 ahead.
The Boks were beginning to take control.
A clever chip kick from Janse van Rensburg was collected by BlitzBok winger Maria Tshiremba, who showed blistering pace before diving over in the corner for South Africa’s fourth try.
Cilliers added the extras to make it 24-5.
Italy finally managed to enjoy some sustained possession inside the Boks’ 22, but the visitors’ defence held firm and repeatedly frustrated the hosts.
With two minutes remaining in the half, Italy won a five-metre lineout and set up a rolling maul, giving the Boks a taste of their own medicine.
Vittoria Vecchini eventually stretched over the line, with Michela Sillari adding the conversion.
Although Italy had the final say of the half, South Africa had dominated large periods and took a deserved 24-12 lead into the break.
The Boks did not do themselves any favours at the start of the second half.
They had a frantic opening, with a lineout hiccup followed by Janse van Rensburg’s clearance being charged down, almost handing Italy a golden opportunity to score.
Nonetheless, the Boks survived the early onslaught.
However, they soon went down to 14 players when Yonela Ngxingolo was shown a yellow card for a dangerous cleanout.
Italy took full advantage of the extra player.
The hosts showed great attacking flair before Alyssa D’Incà scored her second try of the match. There were questions over possible obstruction in the build-up, but referee Holly Wood allowed the try to stand.
Sillari added the conversion.
Cilliers then landed a penalty to stretch the Boks’ lead to eight points in the 55th minute.
But the advantage was short-lived.
The Boks’ lead was cut to just one point almost immediately. An overthrow by replacement hooker Micke Gunter allowed Italy to secure possession before Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi dived over the line.
Italy had produced an incredible fightback, coming from 5-24 down to reduce the deficit to just one point with 20 minutes remaining.
The momentum was firmly with the hosts.
Sillari then put Italy in front for the first time, kicking an easy penalty to make it 29-27.
The Springbok Women responded by setting up a maul inside the Italian half, and the hosts were once again penalised for an infringement.
This time, referee Wood issued Italy with a team warning.
The Boks made the pressure count.
Another effective maul was set up, with Gunter powering over the line. Cilliers added the conversion as South Africa regained control at 34-29.
There was more concern for the Boks when Janse van Rensburg was forced from the field with what appeared to be an ankle injury – a massive blow for South Africa, who had already lost Dolf.
With just over five minutes remaining, Italy had a chance to level matters.
From the scrum, the hosts shifted the ball wide and Francesca Granzotto looked certain to score, but a superb try-saving tackle from Mecaela Samboya halted the Italian attack.
The Boks were hanging on.
But with the clock ticking down, South Africa regained possession and began to find their composure.
From the back of a scrum, Logan Welman powered over to seal the victory for the Springbok Women. Cilliers added the cherry on top of a well-deserved victory with the conversion.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Anoeska Groenewald was outstanding, with the hooker finding her jumpers consistently while also scoring two tries. Unam Tose was another standout, dictating play and helping drive the Boks forward, while Jakkie Cilliers also deserves plenty of credit for her contribution. However, our nod goes to Sizophila Solontsi. The flank was immense throughout the contest, making her presence felt around the park and playing a crucial role as the Boks held their nerve to secure a dramatic victory.
The scorers:
For Italy:
Tries: D’Incá 2, Vecchini, Minuzzi
Cons: Sillari 3
Pen: Sillari
For South Africa:
Tries: Groenewald 2, Dolf, Tshiremba, Gunter, Welman
Cons: Cilliers 4
Pen: Cilliers
Yellow card: Yonela Ngxingolo (South Africa, 46 – dangerous cleanout)
Teams:
Italy: 15 Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi (captain); 14 Aura Muzzo, 13 Michela Sillari, 12 Sara Mannini, 11 Alyssa D’Incá; 10 Emma Stevanin, 9 Sofia Stefan, 8 Elisa Giordano, 7 Alissa Ranuccini, 6 Francesca Sgorbini, 5 Giordana Duca, 4 Alessandra Frangipani, 3 Alessia Pilani, 2 Vittoria Vecchini, 1 Silvia Turani.
Replacements: 16 Chiara Cheli, 17 Laura Foscato, 18 Gaia Dosi, 19 Giulia Cavina, 20 Mascia Jelic, 21 Alia Bitonci, 22 Beatrice Rigoni, 23 Francesca Granzotto.
South Africa: 15 Jakkie Cilliers, 14 Alichia Arries, 13 Maceala Samboya, 12 Shiniqwa Lamprecht, 11 Maria Tshiremba, 10 Byrhandré Dolf, 9 Unam Tose, 8 Aseza Hele, 7 Lerato Makua, 6 Sizophila Solontsi, 5 Catha Jacobs, 4 Vainah Ubisi, 3 Nombuyekezo Mdliki, 2 Anushka Groenewald, 1 Yonela Ngxingolo.
Replacements: 16 Micke Gunter, 17 Sanelisiwe Charlie, 18 Babalwa Latsha, 19 Nomsa Mokwai, 20 Logan Welman, 21 Aphiwe Ngwevu, 22 Felicia Jacobs, 23 Libbie Janse van Rensburg.
Referee: Holly Wood (RFU)
Assistant Referees: Maria Latos (DRV) and Emily Hope (RFU)
TMO: Dan Jones (RFU)
