Bok Women kick off Rugby Africa with a 10 out of 10

WRAP: The Springbok Women scored 10 tries as they kicked their Rugby Africa Women’s Cup title defence off on a winning note with a 62-6 victory over Uganda on a sunny and breezy afternoon at Stade Makis in Antananarivo.

Eight players made their Test debuts for South Africa, while also giving fringe players valuable game time to showcase the value of a strong player pipeline.

How they dismantled the Lady Cranes bodes well for the future and will make the selectors’ job even tougher when they have to finalise the Rugby World Cup squad in a few weeks.

 

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Playing with the wind in their backs in the first half, the Springbok Women showed good variation in play, going the direct route and then wide to keep the Ugandan defence honest. Loose forward Lerato Makua and debutants Faith Tshauke (No 8) and Patience Mokone (wing) all crossed for braces.

South Africa were in control for most of the match and deservedly led 29-0 at the break, but they could have had a larger lead, with several unforced errors creeping into their game.

The Bok Women scored at regular intervals during the opening stanza, with Makua scoring a first-half brace, while Simamkele Namba (wing), Byrhandré Dolf (fullback) and Tshauke also crossed for tries. Mary Zulu (flyhalf) added two conversions.

Makua went over under the uprights in the fifth minute, and Namba, back from sevens duty, was worked over in the corner after good play from a strong attacking scrum six minutes later to give South Africa a 12-0 lead.

Tshauke, looking impressive at No 8, was rewarded for her strong early play with a try on debut in the 16th minute before Dolf’s try, seven minutes later, also came after the Bok Women found space out side.

It took South Africa another 15 minutes before Makua crashed over for her second after the team showed great patience on attack in the Ugandan 22.

The South Africans were out of the blocks in no time after the break as Tshauke added her second try with a strong run off the back of a scrum in the 42nd minute, and shortly thereafter the speedy Mokone scored a breakaway try from her own 10m line, with Zulu converting both to make it 43-0 for the Bok Women with just over half and hour to go.

Uganda scored against the run of play when Suzan Adong (flanker) intercepted and raced away, but the Bok Women were not done yet and added another three tries to their tally, with Aphiwe Ngwevu (centre) and Sinothile Bhengu (replacement prop) – with a try on debut – proving unstoppable at close quarters, before Mokone linked up well with her inside backs for her second five-pointer.

Uganda finished strong but failed to breach South Africa’s impressive defence, with the Bok Women continuing their strong play until the 80th minute to seal a great victory.

In the second match, Kenya flyhalf Grace Okulu was the star of the show with her try, penalty and drop goal in the East Africans’ win over Madagascar. Winger Stella Wafula, centre Moreen Muritu and fullback Sinadia Nyachio also added a try each.

The next batch of matches will be played on Wednesday, June 11.

South Africa 62-7 Uganda

The scorers:

For Springbok Women:
Tries: Makua 2, Namba, Tshauke 2, Dolf, Mokone 2, Ngwevu, Bhengu.
Cons: Zulu 4, Dolf, Tose

For Uganda Lady Cranes:
Try: Adong
Con: Mukyala.

Teams:

South Africa: 15 Byrhandrѐ Dolf, 14 Simamkele Namba, 13 Chuma Qawe, 12 Aphiwe Ngwevu, 11 Patience Mokone, 10 Mary Zulu, 9 Unam Tose, 8 Faith Tshauke, 7 Lerato Makua, 6 Anushka Groenewald, 5 Anathi Qolo (captain), 4 Nomsa Mokwai, 3 Nombuyekezo Mdliki, 2 Luchell Hanekom, 1 Xoliswa Khuzwayo.
Replacements: 16 Roseline Botes, 17 Anuchka Ekron, 18 Sinothile Bhengu, 19 Dineo Ndlhovu, 20 Nobuhle Mjwara, 21 Felicia Jacobs, 22 Leigh Fortuin, 23 Nomawethu Mabenge.

Uganda:

Forwards: Doreen Mbabazi, Christine Kokoi, Jennifer Musabera, Phoebe Nakalembe, Doreen Sijali, Yvonne Najjuma, Phiona Nantogo, Hellen Acanit, Proscovia Mukyala, Peace Nemira, Cabrine Kirabo, Suzan Adong, Lydia Namabiro, Angella Nanyonjo.

Backs: Tina Akello, Sarah Nakafeero, Bushira Namutebi, Grace Nabaggala, Latifa Tiko, Mercy Atek, Comfort Angayika, Agnes Nakuya, Racheal Mufuwa, Christine Akello, Ayikoru Samiya, Juliet Nandawula, Janat Nandudu, Mastula Nambozo.

Referee: Bineta Sene (Senegal)

Madagascar 5-28 Kenya

The scorers:

For Madagascar:
Try: TBC

For Kenya:
Tries: Okulu, Wafula, Muritu, Nyachio
Con: Okulu
Pen: Okulu
Drop Goal: Okulu

Madagascar: TBC

Kenya: Naomi Muhanji, Noleen Khaleyi, Knight Otwoma, Mitchelle Akinyi, Melissa Amondi, Hesla Khisa, Enid Ouma, Diana Kemunto, Gladys Makhungu, Nelly Chikombe, Sheilla Chajira, Judith Auma, Winnie Owino, Christabel Lindo, Diana Awino, Ann Njeri, Esther Juma (Impala Roans). Sinaida Nyachio, Faith Livoi, Mitchelle Alivitsa, Edith Nariaka, Naomi Amuguni, Maureen Chebet, Linet Arasa, Naomi Jelagat, Jane Chanya, Natasha Emali, Claudia Muhavi, Yvonne Khatundu (Mwamba), Mary Khavere, Zainab Mohammed, Hellen Wanjiru, Doris Kimani, Zuhura Asman, Getrude Ambeyi, Friza Anyango, Angel Salamba, Moreen Muritu, Lovinah Mijere, Maxine Abuga (Kenya Harlequins), Carol Nyamwamu, Lewin Amazimbi, Yvette Okech, Sophie Nasimiyu, Agnes Mbone, Diana Mideva, Phoebe Akinyi, Mitchelle Chillande, Juliana Achieng, Mitchelle Atieno (Northern Suburbs), Charity Nillah, Jacinta Musakali, Sheila Wesa (NYS Spades), Lawnisky Minayo, Phaustine Imbakwa (Shamberere), Grace Adhiambo, Kerina Omala, Jemima Wambui, Freshia Awin (Nakuru RFC), Lucie Amudui (Rongo) and Janet Okelo (Unattached).

Sources: SA Rugby & Rugby Africa