Springbok Women move closer to Rugby Africa crown after Kenya scare

MATCH REPORT: The Springbok Women had to work very hard for a 19-12 victory over Kenya in their second round Rugby Africa Women’s Cup clash at Stade Makis in Antananarivo on Wednesday afternoon.

However, the South Africans will be the first to admit that it was not a convincing performance.

In a match that can be described as a stop-start affair, with referee Julie Randriarimanana of Madagascar making a number of interesting calls that baffled the South Africans. One such call handed Kenya a free kick for a mark taken from a ball that bounced before the player caught it.

However, you can only play what is in front of you and credit to the Springbok Women who refused to stop tackling all day. They will be disappointed in their finishing, though, as at least two clear try-scoring opportunities went begging.

The match was very tense towards the end, when the Kenyans came back from being 12-0 down at the break, to score the last two tries of the match, but some brave defensive work by the Bok replacements proved decisive.

In fact, the six-two split on the bench worked out well for the South Africans, who lost lock and captain Anathi Qolo early in the second half. Replacement Dineo Ndhlovu did well, while flanker Nobuhle Mjwara scored a crucial try in the 68th minute.

The Bok Women started the match with real purpose. A strong scrum set up a string of penalties to the South Africans as Kenya had to resort to desperate measures to keep their opponents away, but strangely enough, no yellow cards were forthcoming for the repeated offences.

That pressure had the desired effect four minutes in when Aphiwe Ngwevu (centre) ran the perfect line following some good driving play by her pack. Mary Zulu (flyhalf) converted, and the Bok Women were up and running early.

Kenya recovered well and managed to get some possession in good positions, working their way upfield, but relentless defence kept them away from the SA red zone.

A yellow card to Xoliswa Khuzwayo after a second defensive infringement gave the Kenyans more space, and their best chance in the half came shortly after when they attacked down the left. They had numbers to spare, but a timely intercept by Simamkele Namba (wing) saved the day for South Africa as play was moved back into the Kenyan half of the field, and their chance was gone.

The Bok Women managed to work their way towards the Kenyan line, and when their opponents were penalised for holding on, they opted for a penalty kick. Zulu’s effort struck the upright, and the opportunity to extend the lead was lost.

It did not last long, though, as Lerato Makua crashed over minutes later. The try came from a good run by wing Patience Mokone, and after the ball was recycled, the Bok flanker was on hand to finish despite a number of defenders desperately clinging on. Zulu’s conversion hit the upright again, and 35 minutes in, SA led 12-0.

South Africa started the second half best as well, although it was defence, rather than attack, that kept them on the front foot.

Their defence kept every Kenyan attack at bay, with the red jerseys often having to relieve pressure with kicks downfield where fullback Byrhandré Dolf did well on the counter-attack. A number of those runs had Kenya in trouble, but some loose passing spoiled the SA effort.

Simamkele Namba then crossed the line following another good run by Dolf, but the final pass was ruled forward, much to the Bok wing’s surprise. The lead was finally extended to 19-0 when Mjwara scored her first Test try, and when Zulu converted and with 10 minutes left, it seemed a done deal for the Springbok Women.

Kenya had other plans, though and hit back with two quick tries, which made for an uneasy finish by the defending champions, who then also lost Namba to the sin bin, but they hung on for the win.

In the day’s second match, Uganda recovered from 20-12 deficit to defeat Madagascar in an exciting finish.

A spirited Madagascar side, buoyed by a partisan crowd at the Stade Makis, played a high-paced running game, the hallmark of their rugby.

But brave Uganda’s intensity was at a much higher level, especially in the second half, resulting in a bruising battle in Antananarivo.

Uganda outscored Madagascar by four tries to three, the crucial ones being the lively outside-centre Grace Nabagala’s brace at the end to snatch the game away from Madagascar. Wing Janet Nandudu converted the first one.

Madagascar were led by a dynamic No.8, Laurence T. Rasoanandrasana, who was full of running and carried the ball tirelessly for the full 80 minutes.

The final day of what has been a thoroughly entertaining tournament will take place on Sunday, June 15.

The scorers:

For Springbok Women:
Tries: Aphiwe Ngwevu, Lerato Makua, Nobuhle Mjwara.
Cons: Mary Zulu 2

For Kenya
Tries: Freshia Awino, Noleen Khaleyi.
Con: Sinaida Mokaya.

Teams: 

South Africa: 15 Byrhandre 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 Nompumelelo Mathe, 22 Felicia Jacobs, 23 Leigh Fortuin.

Kenya squad: 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).

.