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It will be a case of make or break in the SA Cup this weekend, with a number of pivotal matches for several teams striving to keep alive their dreams of reaching the final. With a maximum of 10 points at stake in the rest of the competition, five contenders remain in contention for a …
The three South African teams still in with a chance of reaching the Vodacom United Rugby Championship playoffs will all have one objective – winning – in mind when they take the field in the third-last pool round this weekend. The Vodacom Bulls and DHL Stormers will want to keep alive their hopes of finishing …
Jake White versus Franco Smith is a battle of two outstanding rugby minds, both with international coaching experience and both leading the charge into this season’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship play-offs. If rugby is a contact sport, then in the week there has been as much chess played by both coaches in their preparations in …
Springbok Women head coach Louis Koen praised his squad for transferring the work they’ve done on the training field to match day in their big victory over Kenya in Madagascar on Wednesday, something they have not always mastered in the past. Koen said they decided to tweak their approach for the match at Stade Makis …
Where does DHL Stormers veteran Brok Harris stay when he is in Newport? The affectionate response is: AT HOME. Harris, who played his 150th match for the Cape Town-based DHL Stormers a fortnight ago, has also played 143 matches for the Dragons RFC. He is as iconic a figure at Newport’s Rodney Parade as he …
There are three changes to the Lionesses starting line up for Wednesday's Rugby Africa Women's Cup clash against South Africa at the Stade Makis in Antananarivo.
Faith Livoi is moved from the second row to the backline, starting at inside center as part of a midfield partnership with Esther Juma as Lewin Amazimbi does not feature in the match day squad.
Hesla Khisa, who came off the bench during Saturday's 29-22 defeat to Madagascar, starts in the second row alongside Naomi Jelagat in a rejigged pack that sees Enid Ouma move from the blindside to number eight. Mitchelle Akinyi is also handed a start in the backrow after coming on as a replacement on Saturday.
Diana Kemunto, a starter in the previous match, will come off the bench while Nolin Khaleyi and Hellen Anyango could make their first starts of the tournament after being named among the replacements.
This match kicks off at 1300 EAT and will be aired live on the Rugby Africa Facebook page.
Lionesses squad to face South Africa
15. Diana Omosso, 14. Diana Awino, 13. Esther Juma, 12. Faith Livoi, 11. Terry Ayesa, 10. Anne Ochieng, 9. Winnie Awino, 1. Rose Otieno, 2. Knight Otuoma, 3. Natasha Emali (C ), 4. Naomi Jelagat, 5. Hesla Khisa, 6. Mitchelle Akinyi, 7. Maureen Chebet, 8. Enid Ouma REPLACEMENTS 16. Mitchelle Atieno, 17. Jane Chanya, 18. Sheilah Wesa, 19. Nolin Khaleyi, 20. Diana Kemunto, 21. Mitchelle Alivitsa, 22. Hellen Anyango, 23. Carol Nyamwamu
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Kenya Rugby Union (KRU).
Media Contact:
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Email: media@kru.co.ke
A disappointed Junior Springbok head coach Bafana Nhleko bemoaned his team’s error-rate and not keeping the pressure up in their heart-breaking defeat against Australia in the second round of the U20 Rugby Championship on Tuesday. The match was yet again played at a wet Sunshine Coast Stadium, where the Junior Boks showed great fighting spirit …
Scottish Rugby has today announced the appointment of two key medical roles within the organisation, following the retiral of Dr James Robson MBE. Dr David Pugh has been appointed as Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and Dr Jonathan Hanson will take on the role of Team Doctor for the men’s national team. Both have been actively …
Prepare for an electrifying showdown this Saturday as Grey College opens its gates to host Paarl Boys High in a battle that transcends mere rugby—it’s a fixture steeped in decades-long rivalry. Dating back to 1950, when these titans first collided on the rugby field, Grey College, and Paarl Boys High (affectionately known as Boishaai) have …
South Africa and Madagascar got off to winning starts in their bid to win the Rugby Africa Women's Cup 2024 and qualify for WXV 2 and Women's Rugby World Cup 2025.
Reigning champions South Africa brushed aside Cameroon 55-0, while tournament hosts Madagascar came from behind to edge Kenya, 29-22.
Whoever finishes top of the standings after three rounds of matches will seal their passage to both England 2025 and WXV 2 in South Africa. The runners-up will compete in WXV 3 in Dubai this September and October.
Hampered by tournament-ending injuries to Aliyah Tchogna-Njamen and Samantha Els, the Springbok Women took time to get into their stride and fell short of the 87-0 win they enjoyed when they played Cameroon for the first time in last year's competition.
Despite playing with the wind at their backs at Stade Makis, Louis Koen's side could only manage three maul tries – all scored by hooker Lindelwa Gwala – for a 19-0 interval lead.
But things opened up after the break and they added six more tries to their tally, with left-winger Maceala Samboya joining Gwala in grabbing a hat-trick.
Replacement forward Vainah Ubisi and outside-centre Veroeshka Grain scored tries at the start of the second half as South Africa picked up the pace before Sambola crossed three times in a devastating 10-minute spell.
Eight minutes from time, replacement centre Aphiwe Ngwevu celebrated her return to the squad for the first time this year with a try from a quick tap penalty to make it 55-0.
The Springbok Women have now won all seven of the Rugby Africa Women's Cup matches they have played, having swept all before them in winning the 2019 and 2023 titles.
Lady Makis Produce Stunning Match-Winner
Meanwhile, Kenya's Women's Rugby World Cup and WXV hopes hang in the balance after Madagascar avenged last year's 29-20 defeat at the same venue.
That game featured three yellow cards to Madagascar but this time it was Kenya who were the multiple offenders.
Tries from Terry Ayesa and Diana Awino had helped to put the Lionesses into an early 12-0 lead, but the Lady Makis managed to pull five points back when number eight Naomi Jelagat was in the sin-bin, with winger Olivia Mamay Nirina Hanitriniaina crossing on the stroke of half-time.
Turning around 12-5 in arrears, Madagascar scored again within five minutes of the restart after some typically slick handling put scrum-half Joela Mirasoa Fenohasina in the clear.
Now restored to their full complement of players, Kenya used their physical advantage upfront to wrestle back the initiative, prop Rose Otieno crossing from close range at the back of a maul.
But Faith Livoi's yellow card on 56 minutes opened the door for Madagascar again, and the Lady Makis did not need a second invitation to exploit the extra space, scoring two tries to take the lead for the first time in the match.
Centre Valisoa Erickah Razanakiniaina was the first to cross when she finished off a tap-penalty move instigated by Fenohasina. This time Tiana Jinah Razanamahefa was able to add the extras to bring the scores level at 17-17.
Laurence Rasoanandrasana's try put Madagascar 22-17 up. It was a product of no little ingenuity and skill, the hooker receiving the ball back from a throw to the front of the lineout and bursting down the blindside without a hand laid on her.
Kenya replacement back Helen Achieng temporarily silenced the home crowd – which included the country's president and first lady – when she wriggled over in the left corner to bring the scores level again. But a deafening roar greeted Madagascar's fifth try deep into added time when brilliant interchange play involving openside Delphine Sarindra Raharimalala and Hanitriniaina led to the winger crossing for the second time. It was a score fit to win any match.
While South Africa's win will not impact the World Rugby Women's Rankings due to the large points differential between themselves and Cameroon, the win for Madagascar will result in a one-place gain.
The Lady Makis will get 1.1 points added to their rating, moving them above Belgium and into 26th place. Kenya will remain 23rd.
The next opportunity Madagascar's huge following will get to cheer on their team will be on Wednesday for the second round match against Cameroon. South Africa take on Kenya in the other fixture.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Rugby.
Springbok Women head coach Louis Koen made nine changes to his starting team and 11 overall when he named his squad to play Kenya in the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup at Stade Makis in Antananarivo on Wednesday. Free State Women outside back Sikholiwe Mdletshe will earn her first cap after being named on the left …
The South African Rugby Union thanked the judges and the South African public on Monday after a record-breaking night at the SA Sports Awards at the Sun City Superbowl. Rugby was honoured in eight categories collecting the awards for Federation, Administrator, Team, Coach, Sportsman, Newcomer, Sports Star, and People’s Choice winner, with Springbok captain Siya …
Edinburgh Rugby today announced the signing of Scottish-qualified centre Mosese Tuipulotu from the New South Wales Waratahs on a two-year deal, subject to visa and medical clearance. Comfortable in the 12 and 13 jerseys, Mosese – who turned 23 on Sunday – is eligible for Scotland by ancestry and follows in the footsteps of older …
In an exhilarating back and forth tussle between SA Cup frontrunners, Suzuki Griquas and the Airlink Pumas, the team from Kimberley managed to snatch a late victory in their game and cemented their spot at the top of the log. With two rounds remaining, this 31-26 victory put Suzuki Griquas on the inside lane to …
JF van Heerden will captain a Junior Springbok side showing several changes when they take on Australia in the second round of the Under-20 Rugby Championship at the Sunshine Coast Stadium in Bokarina, Queensland on Tuesday. Van Heerden takes over the captaincy from Zachary Porthen, who has been ruled out of contention for this match …
History was made on a dazzling day of high drama, emotion and all action international rugby sevens at Singapore National Stadium. Argentina’s men claimed their first ever HSBC SVNS league winners title and New Zealand overcame arch rivals Australia in an epic women’s final to win both the Singapore and SVNS League titles. New Zealand …
Asithandile Ntoyanto has been called up to join the Springbok Women in Antananarivo on Sunday for the remainder of the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup, currently underway in Madagascar. The Bulls Daisies prop, who turns 33 on Monday and has 21 Test caps, replaces Aliyah Tchogna-Njamen, who along with Samantha Els (flanker) sustained fractures in Saturday’s …
Argentina, playing for the HSBC SVNS league title, came back hard in the second half of their fifth-place playoff to edge the Springbok Sevens by 14-10 in the teams’ final clash in Singapore this weekend. Despite an unbeaten run in their three pool matches, the Blitzboks unfortunately came unstuck in both their playoffs, going down …
The Bulls Daisies and Sanlam Boland Dames continued to make their presence felt in the Women’s Premier Division on Saturday, stretching their winning streaks to four matches to remain at the top of the table with a full house of points, while the Free State Women earned their first victory of the season while DHL …
One try was enough for the Springbok Women’s Sevens team as they finished the HSBC SVNS Singapore on a winning note and secured ninth position with their second victory of the weekend over the USA. The 5-0 victory over the USA early on Sunday morning meant that South Africa finished the tournament at the National …
Kenya Lionesses Fifteens Coach Paul Murunga has named the 28 woman Lionesses squad to this year's Rugby Africa Women's Cup taking place in Antananarivo, Madagascar from May 4-12.
Natasha Emali captains the side that has thirteen changes from the side that did duty at the World Rugby WXV 3 competition in Dubai, UAE last October. These are changes necessitated by the Lionesses participation at the final round of the World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series set for 18-19 May in Krakow, Poland.
The experienced Linet Moraa returns to the Lionesses alongside Hesla Khisa and Diana Awino while Jane Chanya, Sheila Wesa, Mitchelle Atieno, Mitchelle Alivitsa, Refa Ochando, Hellen Achieng, Elizabeth Wekesa, Nolin Khaleyi,Carol Nyamwamu and Hellen Anyango are all handed maiden call ups.
Murunga said, ““Our structures are much better than last year…remember last year we were playing at that level for the first time. Then we went and competed at the WXV 3 in Dubai for the first time as well. We haven't played much this year but I think in terms of mental strength we are in a much better position to play against South Africa and do well.”
Murunga further expressed hope that those selected will be able to fill in capably for others who are currently in camp with the national 7s side ahead of next month's Challenger Series in Poland.
“The squad has trained for around two months and the good thing is most of the girls have been playing in the Kenya Cup. Unfortunately, we couldn't get most of the backline players who are training with the national 7s side and are supposed to travel to Poland. We have managed to find other girls who will help us make the numbers and among them are seven rookies who will be travelling with us,” the coach said.
This year's Rugby Africa Women's Cup will be played on a round robin basis and features defending champions South Africa, Kenya, hosts Madagascar and Cameroon.
Lionesses Squad | Rugby Africa Women's Cup 2024 | May 4-12 | Antanaravivo, Madagascar Natasha Emali (Captain), Rose Otieno (Vice Captain), Knight Otwoma,Jane Chanya, Maureen Chebet, Faith Livoi, Enid Ouma, Diana Kemunto, Naomi Jelagat, Winnie Owino, Ann Ochieng, Terry Ayesa, Esther Juma, Lewin Amazimbi, Diana Awino, Diana Omoso, Mitchelle Atieno,Sheila Wesa, Hesla Khisa, Mitchelle Akinyi, Mitchelle Alivitsa, Refa Ochando, Hellen Achieng, Elizabeth Wekesa, Nolin Khaleyi, Linet Moraa ,Carol Nyamwamu ,Hellen Anyango
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Kenya Rugby Union (KRU).
Wales Women U20 head coach Liza Burgess had selected her match-day 23 for an Anglo-Welsh clash against England at Dings RFC, Shaftesbury Park tomorrow afternoon (KO 2pm). Entry to the ground is free of charge, with the fixture also streamed live on the England Rugby YouTube channel. Gwalia Lightning centre Jenna De Vera has been …
The Hollywoodbets Sharks will have a golden opportunity to make history by becoming the first South African franchise to advance to the EPCR Challenge Cup final when they face Clermont Auvergne in a blockbuster semi-final at the Twickenham Stoop in London on Saturday. With their Vodacom United Rugby Championship playoff hopes already dashed following a …
It’s all come down to this – a final showdown at Mansfield Park awaits Hawick RFC and Currie Chieftains on Saturday. The Men’s Premiership Final will see Hawick defending the Bill McLaren Shield for the third straight match after defeating previous holders Selkirk to win it; and defending it subsequently against Kelso and Currie. Hawick …