MATCH REPORT: The Springbok Women stepped up their preparation for the World Cup with a 26-34 defeat at the hands of the Black Ferns XV at the Athlone Stadium on Saturday.
The Black Ferns XV struck first, being very dangerous with ball in hand as fullback Mererangi Paul got over in the second minute of the game.
The Bok Women launched a ferocious attack from the kick-off, and Anathi Qolo almost got over, but then handed the ball to the visitors metres from the tryline.
Seconds later, they were back in the Black Ferns XV 22. Captain Babalwa Latsha and Aseza Hele showed immense power in taking the ball up with some strong runs.
And then the power of the Bok women’s pack won a heel against the head in what is without a doubt their strongest weapon.
They follow this up with a wonderful maul, and Hele got over for the hosts’ first try.
Jakkie Cilliers converted to take the South Africans into a 7-5 lead.
After some play two and fro, the Black Ferns XV advanced into South Africa’s 22, and Vainah Ubisi found herself offside, and she got her marching orders.
Mere minutes later, Kelsey Teneti finished off a backline move in the corner for the visitors’ third try, which was also not converted.
This was quickly followed by their third try, intercepting an overhead pass thrown by Libbie Janse van Rensburg, stretching their lead to 15-7.
At the half-hour mark, Hele got her second try, again following a well-structured maul, doing what she does best for South Africa to trail by 12-15.
Teneti grabbed her second try just as South Africa received their second yellow card, this time it was Eloise Webb for a slap down.
After the sound of the hooter, the visitors almost got their fifth try as South Africa once more leaked numbers on the edges. But obstruction by the visitors saved the hosts from another five-pointer.
Still, after 44 minutes into halftime, the Bok Women did not stop playing, and Hele almost got over for her third try.
Eventually, the first half ended with the visitors leading 20-12 after all four of the Black Ferns XV’s conversion attempts were missed.
Heading into the second half, the Bok Women would reflect on their discipline, especially at the breakdown, while the backline needed to up their defence, especially out wide.
For South Africa, captain Latsha and No.8 Hele were the best in Green and Gold in the first half.
The visitors started the second half with intent, ending up five metres from the Boks’ tryline, and following the lineout, opted for a scrum.
A try followed, by Hollyrae Mete-Renata as South Africa’s defence let them down once more.
Teneti got her third try after a blunder in midfield by the Bok Women, and Teneti hacked it through and collected to score.
The conversion was good and the visitors stretched their lead to 34-12.
Following the kick, the Bok women’s forward took command, edging ever closer to the tryline, and finally it was Latsha who dove over for their third try, converted by Cilliers and closing the gap to 19-34.
The Bok Women’s Bomb Squad made a massive difference, helping their side to get on the front foot and dominate the set-pieces.
After Nadine Roos, South Africa’s female Faf de Klerk, moved from fullback to scrumhalf, the Bok Women were much more on the front foot. She created a lot of attacking opportunities by cleaning out quickly behind the rucks.
After a yellow card to New Zealand for repeat infringement, the Bok women forged ahead and saw Nombuyekezo Mdliki get over for the Springbok Women, but obstruction by Roseline Botes disallowed the try.
For New Zealand, Kelsey Teneti was one of their star performers, on defence and attack, while scoring a hat-trick of tries for her country.
The battering Bok Women got over with five minutes to go, but Catha Jacobs was held up.
Finally, Mdliki got her try, converted by a flawless Cilliers with three minutes to go, and South Africa trailing by 26-34.
The Bok Women were relentless, launching attack after attack and breaking down the defence.
The stars in the Green and Gold were Roos, Hele, Latsha, Chumisa Qawe, and Ubiki.
Player of the Match: Kelsey Teneti, not only for her hat-trick of tries, but her all-round performance.
Scorers:
For South Africa:
Tries: Hele 2, Latsha, Mdliki
Cons: Cilliers 3
For Black Ferns XV:
Tries: Paul, Teneti 3, Kolose, Mete-Renata
Cons: Nepia 2
Yellow cards: Vainah Ubisi (South Africa, 22’; cynical play); Eloise Webb (South Africa, 36’; deliberate slap down); Maama Vaipulu (New Zealand, 65’; repeat infringement)
Teams:
South Africa: 15 Nadine Roos, 14 Jakkie Cilliers, 13 Eloise Webb, 12 Chumisa Qawe, 11 Maceala Samboya, 10 Libbie Janse van Rensburg, 9 Tayla Kinsey, 8 Aseza Hele, 7 Lerato Makua, 6 Faith Tshauke, 5 Anathi Qolo, 4 Vainah Ubisi, 3 Babalwa Latsha (captain), 2 Micke Gunter, 1 Sanelisiwe Charlie
Replacements: 16 Roseline Botes, 17 Yonela Ngxingolo, 18 Nombuyekezo Mdliki, 19 Sinazo Mcatshulwa, 20 Catha Jacobs, 21 Mary Zulu, 22 Aphiwe Ngwevu, 23 Zintle Mpupha
New Zealand XV: 15 Mererangi Paul, 14 Winnie Palamo, 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 Marcelle Parkes
Replacements: 16 Grace Leaso Gago, 17 Cheyenne Tuli-Fale, 18 Harono Te Iringa, 19 Elinor-Plum King, 20 Lucy Jenkins, 21 Reese Anderson, 22 Justine McGregor, 23 Kaea Nepia
Referee: Zoe Naude (South Africa)
Assistant Referees: Giana Viljoen (South Africa), Angie Bezuidenhout (South Africa)
TMO: Christie du Preez (South Africa)