Bok Women's fast start floors USA
MATCH REPORT: The Springboks Women secured their first home victory of the season, beating USA 34-21 at Ellis Park on Saturday.
The Bok Women laid the platform for victory with an outstanding first-half display, showing tremendous intensity and physicality.
*To recap all the action CLICK HERE!!
Logan Welman, playing in just her fourth Test for the senior side, continued her impressive form by scoring a brace of tries against the Eagles.
The other try-scorers for the Springboks Women were Ayanda Malinga, Unam Tose, captain Babalwa Latsha and Vainah Ubisi.
The USA Women mounted a late fightback with three second-half tries from Freda Tafuna, Ashley Cowdrey and Elizabeth Cook, while Bella Vogel slotted three conversions.
The Springbok Women shook off a nervy start and quickly imposed themselves on the contest.
It was a shaky opening for South Africa, with a miscommunication from the kick-off followed by a knock-on that handed the USA an early scrum penalty. However, the visitors could not capitalise.
Instead, South Africa immediately turned defence into attack. A quick tap from Unam Tose sent Vainah Ubisi into space to and she found Ayanda Malinga, who showed her pace to dive over for the opening try.
Malinga started at outside centre for the first time.
Jakkie Cilliers added the conversion to make it 7-0 after just six minutes.
South Africa’s forward pack soon took control, with excellent variation at the set-piece, including a well-executed two-player line-out. The attack built through Alisha Arries, though Cilliers was eventually isolated en route to the tryline.
The Springbok Women continued to apply pressure through their dominant front row and repeated pick-and-go phases. That persistence paid off as Unam Tose, earning her 30th cap, powered over for the second try to stretch the lead to 12-0.
The USA struggled to contain the physical intensity and were forced onto the back foot for long periods.
Logan Welman impressed with a strong break, although her final pass failed to find Malinga. The pressure remained relentless, with Danelle Lochner making a powerful carry before captain Babalwa Latsha crashed over from close range.
Welman then added her name to the scoresheet with a finish in the corner, before the No.8 completed a brace just before halftime at the back of a dominant scrum.
Cilliers added the extras to complete a clinical first-half display and stretch the lead to 29-0 at the break.
The Springboks Women picked up where they left off after the break, extending their dominance as lock Ubisi crashed over to stretch the lead to 34-0.
To their credit, the USA refused to roll over and began to enjoy sustained spells of possession. After building momentum through a series of powerful carries, Freda Tafuna bulldozed over for her side’s first points of the afternoon, with Bella Vogel adding the conversion.
The visitors continued to grow in confidence and applied sustained pressure before Ashley Cowdrey crossed for her first Test try on debut. Vogel was again on target with the conversion.
The effects of the altitude and a host of substitutions began to show in the closing stages for the Boks and the USA finished strongly. Elizabeth Cook powered over for her side’s third try, with Vogel maintaining her perfect record from the tee.
Despite the late fightback, the damage had already been done, and the Springboks Women comfortably held on to secure a deserved victory.
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Player of the Match: There were plenty of standout performers for the Springboks Women. Logan Welman was incredible with her lethal runs and strong carries, while also scoring two tries. Vainah Ubisi also deserves a mention for her hard work. Not only did she score, but she also set up the first try. Danelle Lochner is another player who deserves praise for her tireless work rate. However, our nod goes to Catha Jacobs. The flanker was relentless at the breakdown, clinical in defence and dominant with ball in hand. She was physical in the tackle, made strong carries and was a constant presence throughout the contest.
The scorers:
For South Africa:
Tries: Malinga, Tose, Latsha, Welman 2, Ubisi
Cons: Cilliers 2
For USA:
Tries: Tafuna, Cowdrey, Cook
Cons: Vogel 3
Yellow card: Cass Bargell (USA, 25)
Teams:
South Africa Women: 15 Byrhandré Dolf, 14 Jakkie Cilliers, 13 Ayanda Malinga, 12 Aphiwe Ngwevu, 11 Alichia Arries, 10 Libbie Janse van Rensburg, 9 Unam Tose, 8 Logan Welman, 7 Catha Jacobs, 6 Sizophila Solontsi, 5 Danelle Lochner, 4 Vainah Ubisi, 3 Babalwa Latsha, 2 Micke Gunter, 1 Sanelisiwe Charlie
Replacements: 16 Anushka Groenewald, 17 Yonela Ngxingolo, 18 Thandile Mazwi, 19 Anathi Qolo, 20 Sinelitha Noxeke, 21 Faith Tshauke, 22 Felicia Jacobs, 23 Eloise Webb
USA: 15 Alev Kelter, 14 Bulou Mataitoga, 13 Telesi Uhatafe, 12 Katana Howard, 11 Ashley Cowdrey, 10 Bella Vogel, 9 Cass Bargell, 8 Freda Tafuna, 7Georgie Perris-Redding (Captain), 6 Kate Zackary, 5 Hallie Taufoou, 4 Rachel Ehrecke, 3 Reece Woods, 2 Kathryn Treder, 1 Hope Rogers.
Replacements: 16 Paige Stathopoulo, 17 Alivia Leatherman, 18 Elizabeth Cook, 19 Kapoina Bailey, 20 Tessa Hann, 21 Hann Humphreys, 22 Olivia Ortiz, 23 Kristin Bitter
Referee: Zoe Naude (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Giana Viljoen (South Africa), Angie Bezuidenhout (South Africa)
TMO: Quinton Immelman (South Africa)
