ATHLONE STADIUM – Ireland claimed a 40-27 victory over the Springbok Women in the first of two WXV Global Series Tests at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday, taking a 1-0 lead in the series after an entertaining encounter.
The Springbok Women, cheered on by a passionate home crowd in sunny conditions, showed plenty of fight in the opening half, scoring three tries through Aseza Hele, Vainah Ubisi and Maria Tshiremba. However, Ireland’s attacking intensity after the break proved decisive as the visitors pulled away to secure the win.
With regular captain and tighthead prop Babalwa Latsha ruled out of the two home Tests through injury, Sizophila Solontsi took over the captaincy. The hosts also made a few changes to the side that defeated Spain earlier this month, while Yonela Ngxingolo reached a significant milestone off the bench, becoming only the second South African woman to earn 50 Test caps.
Ireland opened the scoring in the seventh minute when centre Aoife Dalton crossed the try line following sustained pressure on the South African defence. The successful conversion gave the visitors a 7-0 lead.
South Africa responded in the 19th minute through number eight Hele, who powered over after an impressive rolling maul from the forwards. The conversion was unsuccessful, leaving the hosts trailing 7-5.
The Springbok Women continued to build momentum, with lock forward Ubisi finishing another powerful rolling maul in the 27th minute to put South Africa ahead 12-7.
Ireland hit back through prop Linda Djougang in the 32nd minute, as the visitors capitalised on their own successful maul to reclaim the lead at 14-12.
Tshiremba restored South Africa’s advantage just before half-time, finishing in the corner after another strong forward effort to make it 17-14. However, Ireland struck again in the dying moments of the half, with lock Jane Clohessy crossing following a South African high-tackle penalty to give the visitors a 21-17 lead at the break.
Ireland came out firing in the second half, with winger Beibhinn Parsons scoring in the 41st minute before captain Erin King crossed in the 51st minute to extend the visitors’ advantage to 33-17.
Although Ireland had a sixth try ruled out by the TMO for a knock-on, South Africa continued to fight. Flanker Lerato Makua scored in the 67th minute to reduce the deficit to 33-22.
Djougang completed her brace in the 73rd minute, extending Ireland’s lead to 40-22, before winger Alichia Arries crossed late for South Africa.
Despite the late response, Ireland held on for a 40-27 victory, leaving the Springbok Women needing a strong performance in the second Test to level the series.
Image: @WomenBoks/Twitter
