The Springbok Women outmuscled an England age-group side 50-17 (half-time 24-10) in Marcoussis on Saturday, with a powerful scrum performance providing the foundation for a satisfactory win and end to their first week of touring France and Spain.
The Bok Women scored eight tries in total, with Jakkie Cilliers (wing) grabbing a brace and adding five conversions for a haul of 20 points in a match they dominated for large parts, while some excellent play by the South Africans on the counterattack also delivered at least two long range tries.
There were lapses in concentration while the young England side – consisting of mostly U20s but also some U23 players – deserve credit for never giving up as they scored twice in the first half and added one more try in the second.
Springbok Women assistant coach Franzel September said the match provided a lot of information to the coaches and the squad.
“We saw a lot of different pictures today, most of them good, and that was a huge positive,” said September.
“We had a number of camps leading up to this tour and to now have the players go out and execute those learnings was a good yardstick for us. They could express those learnings, first in the training against France and then today in a match against this England side.”
September said there are several work-ons, but that was expected in the team’s first match of the season: “So far, so good though.”
The South Africans now travel to Spain and for September, the week in France served as excellent preparation for next weekend’s Test.
“We have seen all the players in action and we have a good feeling of where they are,” he said. “I am sure Bafana Nhleko was happy with the defence, while the forwards coaches are also smiling. We are a set piece team after all and to see the good work in those areas was pleasing. We can now head into Spain with good security in most areas of our game.”
The pack delivered early. Two minutes after kick-off, they had their first scrum which resulted in a penalty. A kick to the corner almost resulted in a try, but when the English were pinged for a maul infringement, a second lineout yielded the first points with Luchell Hanekom (hooker) going over courtesy of a well-executed drive. Cilliers was on target to make it 7-0.
From the resulting restart, Lerato Makua (flanker) got a knock on the neck and was replaced by Catha Jacobs, but that was one of the very few mishaps for the SA side.
Eight minutes in Maceala Samboya (wing) scored a brilliant try when she stepped inside and outside of some scrambling England defence and when Cilliers kicked the conversion, England were in real trouble.
Some loose play by the Springbok Women near their own line cost them five points soon after. They gave away possession near their own line and from a subsequent lineout, England drove Ala Lutui (No 8) over the line, much to the delight of her teammates.
The conversion was wide, but England would soon get a second when Sophie Hopkins (wing) got the reward of a good kick and chase. The bounce of the ball was in her favour and she could finish in the corner to cut the lead to four points with 24 minutes gone.
Having lost some of their early dominance, it took the Bok Women a while to get going again, with England enjoying their best spell of the match. A strong burst by Aphiwe Ngwevu (centre) almost resulted in the try for South Africa and although it did not bring any points, the momentum was back.
Their scrum power earned them five points soon after when Aseza Hele (No 8) picked up and drive over the line with a couple of England defenders in her wake.
The best try of the match followed immediately afterwards. England almost succeeded in a quick restart, but Samboya got to the ball first. It was retrieved and in a flowing move was fed to the backs when Ngwevu again made many meters. The ball was moved to the right and Cilliers could dot down for a 24-10 lead.
Both squads made a few replacements early in the second half and it took them time to settle. The Bok Women found their rhythm first though and Xolelwa Diliza (replacement hooker) scored her first try in national colours in her first outing, from a turnover. Cilliers added the conversion for a 31-10 lead.
The new combinations were starting to find each other and good ball in hand play by the South Africans brought them close twice, but a ball ripped in a tackle resulted in England wing Millie David scoring on the other side of the field for a converted try.
The lead was cut to 16, but that was the last time South Africa would concede points. A strong drive by the pack eased prop Nombuyekeso Mdliki over the line, with Cilliers kicking yet another conversion in very windy conditions.
Cilliers added a second try soon after. Samboya started to run from deep, Byrhandre Dolf (fullback) was on hand, stepped several players and offloaded to the willing and able right wing who finished off a cracking counter offensive.
Chumisa Qawe, who came onto the field as a replacement, joined the try-scorers after yet another flued counterattack found the centre in space and she finished in the corner.
Scorers:
South Africa 50 (24) – Tries: Luchell Hanekom, Maceala Samboya, Aseza Hele, Jakkie Cilliers (2), Xolelwa Diliza, Nombuyekeso Mdliki, Chumisa Qawe. Conversions: Cilliers (5).
England 17 (10) – Tries: Sophie Hopkins, Ala Lutui, Millie David. Conversion: Ella Cromack.
Spontan8ty
As a pioneering force in the world of rugby, England played a key role in the establishment of the International Rugby Board (IRB) in 1886. The IRB, now known as World Rugby, serves as the international governing body for the sport, overseeing its rules, regulations, and competitions.
roma kabuki
The fastest cricket pitch ever recorded was thrown by Shoaib Akhtar during the 2003 Cricket World Cup. He clocked in at 100.23 mph (161.3 km/h) during a match with England. Akhtar’s feat made him the first cricket bowler to reach 100 mph and he did this twice during his storied career. He earned the nickname “The Rawalpindi Express” for his impressive pitches.