The Springbok Women’s Sevens team overcame Kenya 19-10 in a hard-fought final of the Rugby Africa Women’s Sevens at the University of Ghana Rugby Stadium -Legon Accra Ghana on Sunday to retain their continental crown and qualify for the World Rugby Challenger Series to be played next year.
It was a hard fought win as two Kenya tries, early in each half, twice handed the East African the lead, while the Springbok Women also conceded two yellow cards in the final, adding to their problems early on.
Kenya scored first in the final, played at the University of Ghana’s Rugby Stadium in Accra to take the lead after only two minutes. Not only was this the first points conceded by South Africa, but also the first time they trailed in six matches played. A try by Ayanda Malinga levelled matters, but the outside back then conceded a yellow card for a high tackle late in the first half.
Kenya used that advantage at the start of the second half, getting a second try to take the lead again, but the class of the South Africans came through in the end. Felica Jacobs showed her value as impact player with two tries in the last five minutes, with the second, on the buzzer extending a 12-10 lead to a 19-10 win.
The Bok Women Sevens were slow out of the blocks against Madagascar in the semifinal, with the islanders managing to keep South Africa away from their try line for four minutes. A try by Nadine Roos and another by Mathrin Simmers, following a quick penalty tap, opened up a 14-0 lead at the break.
The second half was one way traffic though. Roos scored twice to claim a hattrick and two more by Felicia Jacobs and Maria Tshiremba pushed the score past 40. Roos converted all six tries.
In their quarterfinal clash against Senegal, the South Africans delivered a commanding performance and dominated possession and territory. They scored eight tries, four in each half with Ayanda Malinga, Liske Lategan and Felicia Jacobs are getting a brace. The second try by Jacobs was an absolute gem with two steps of her right foot and good acceleration stunning at least five would-beScoring summary:
South Africa 50 (31), Senegal (0)
SA – Tries: Ayanda Malinga (2), Liske Lategan (2), Nadine Roos, Leigh Fortuin, Felicia Jacobs (2), Conversions: Nadine Roos (4), Zintle Mpupha.
South Africa 42 (14), Madagascar 0 (0)
SA – Tries: Nadine Roos (3), Mathrin Simmers, Felicia Jacobs, Maria Tshiremba. Conversions: Roos (6)
South Africa 19 (5), Kenya 10 (5)
SA – Tries: Ayanda Malinga, Alicia Jacobs (2), Nadine Roos (2). defenders.
