Bok Women smash Black Ferns XV in best-ever outing
MATCH REPORT: The Springbok Women turned their fortunes around, beating the visiting New Zealand XV 41-24 in what can only be described as their best performance ever.
Swys de Bruin’s charges scored seven tries to New Zealand XV’s four in their last outing before their World Cup campaign gets underway in England in August.
The game started at a frenetic pace in front of a wonderful crowd, and the Bok Women attacked through ten phases before losing possession in the opening stanza.
Keeping it tight, the Bok Women’s forwards launched attack after attack, often breaking the gain line through the efforts of Aseza Hele, Babalwa Latsha, and centre Aphiwe Ngwevu.
Finally, Nadine Roos sniped through and thought she had scored, but an obstruction was called.
But then they were awarded as the ball was knocked out of New Zealand’s hands by Hele, and the speedy Ayanda Malinga sprinted through for the first try.
Minutes later, it was Byrhandre Dolf’s turn for another spectacular try after a beautiful run by Hele once more.
She showed awareness to dab through and pick up to score behind the backs of the visitors.
And the Bok women were leading 12-0 after 15 minutes.
Eventually, the visitors got on the scoreboard, and who else but Kelsey Teneti, their star from last weekend.
This came through relentless work by the New Zealand XV to get over the gain line as the Bok Women were steadfast in their defence.
After half an hour, the Bok Women scored their third try, and this time it was flyhalf Libbie Janse van Rensburg who sniped from behind a ruck, reached out and dotted down.
She couldn’t convert, but the Springboks were leading by 17-7 heading into halftime.
Their fourth try, through the efforts of Yonela Ngxingolo, came after a quick play, saw the Bok Women run straight and hard at the defence.
But the Black Ferns XV turned it around and sent their captain, Holly Greenway, over, showing some pace and skill.
At halftime, it was Springbok Women 24-12 New Zealand XV.
The Bok women wasted no time in getting on the attack again as the second half started, working their way into the XV’s 22.
Roos at scrumhalf was electric with quick service to her forwards and getting the backs on the front foot.
But it was the visitors who got over the whitewash first, this time their hooker Luka Connor who got over at close range.
After a heel to the head at scrumtime to South Africa, the Bok Women advanced to the tryline to help Lindelwa Gwala over for their fifth try.
Ten points separated the sides as the home side was leading 29-19 with 25 minutes to go.
Their sixth try comes after a tap and go – it went to Lerato Makua and was richly deserved for the hardworking forward.
Janse van Rensburg converted, stretching their lead to 36-19.
And then the Bomb Squad entered the fray.
It meant Roos moved to flyhalf with Unam Tose taking over the scrumhalf duties.
After they got some hammering in the scrums, New Zealand XV clinched their fourth try with Justine McGregor getting over in the corner.
With five minutes to go, the hosts launched attack after attack with their forwards driving one after the other.
A TMO decision eventually found grounding by Luchell Hanekom for the Boks’ seventh try.
This was by far the Bok Women’s best outing to date and one that will boost their confidence as they head to the World Cup.
Scorers:
For South Africa:
Tries: Malinga, Dolf, Janse van Rensburg, Ngxingolo, Gwala, Makua, Hanekom
Cons: Janse van Rensburg 3
For New Zealand XV:
Tries: Teneti, Greenway, Connor, McGregor
Cons: King 2
Teams:
South Africa: 15 Byrhandre Dolf, 14 Maceala Samboya, 13 Zintle Mpupha, 12 Aphiwe Ngwevu, 11 Ayanda Malinga, 10 Libbie Janse van Rensburg (vice-captain), 9 Nadine Roos, 8 Aseza Hele, 7 Sinazo Mcatshulwa, 6 Lerato Makua, 5 Danelle Lochner, 4 Vainah Ubisi, 3 Babalwa Latsha (captain), 2 Lindelwa Gwala, 1 Yonela Ngxingolo
Replacements: 16 Luchell Hanekom, 17 Xoliswa Khuzwayo, 18 Nombuyekezo Mdliki, 19 Anathi Qolo, 20 Catha Jacobs, 21 Unam Tose, 22 Jakkie Cilliers, 23 Eloise Webb
New Zealand XV: 15 Mererangi Paul, 14 Justine McGregor, 13 Kelsey Teneti, 12 Hollyrae Mete-Renata, 11 Jaymie Kolose, 10 Hannah King, 9 Tara Turner, 8 Mia Anderson, 7 Taufa Bason, 6 Holly Greenway (captain), 5 Maama Vaipulu, 4 Sam Taylor, 3 Ashley Palu, 2 Luka Connor, 1 Cheyenne Tuli-Fale
Replacements: 16 Grace Leaso Gago, 17 Maddi Robinson, 18 Harono Te Iringa, 19 Elinor-Plum King, 20 Fiaali’i Solomona, 21 Keira Su’a-Smith, 22 Leilani Hakiwai, 23 Kaea Nepia
Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa)
Assistant Referees: Zoe Naude (South Africa), Giana Viljoen (South Africa)
TMO: Quinton Immelman (South Africa)
