Challenging opening day for Bok Women’s Sevens in Dubai
The Springbok Women’s Sevens had a challenging opening day at the World Rugby Women’s Sevens World Series in Dubai with the team suffering defeats against Australia and France and registering a draw against Spain.
The team had a baptism of fire as they faced defending champions and 2013/2014 World Series runners up Australia in their opening match, and with confidence and momentum favouring the Australians they picked up where they left off last season. The side from Down Under was particularly effective at retaining possession and taking advantage of penalties, which allowed them to stamp their authority and force South Africa to defend for most of the match.
With slick handling skills and solid support play, Australia tested the Springbok Women’s defence and did well to find space out wide, which earned them six tries for a 36-0 victory. This followed a 21-0 half-time lead.
Errors at crucial times by Renfred Dazel’s team did not assist their cause with knock-ons, penalties, lost lineouts and their failure to protect the ball at the rucks denying them from making their presence felt.
These errors also cost them against France and Spain.
The clash against Spain was tight as the teams threw everything at one another, but two tries by Bok Women’s speedster Phumeza Gadu in the first half to only one by Spain handed South Africa a 10-7 lead at the break.
Spain bounced back shortly after play resumed and took advantage of a penalty by spreading the ball wide, which allowed them to sneak into a 12-10 lead. This, however, was short-lived as Gadu caught two defenders flat-footed and ran outside to complete her hat-trick and push the team into a 17-12 lead in the dying minutes.
An unconverted try on the stroke of fulltime by Spain, however, levelled the scores at 17-17 at full-time.
France, meanwhile, showed patience and skill on attack and supported this with a solid defensive effort, which earned them four tries to only one by Springbok Women’s Sevens captain Marithy Pienaar for a 24-7 victory. With France’s defence holding well Pienaar chipped ahead and managed to gather it to touch down for their only try of the match.
South Africa will face China in the Bowl Semifinal at 11h08 on Friday.
Bok Women’s Sevens day-one results (Dubai Women’s Sevens World Series):
Australia 36 – 0 SA
SA 17 – 17 Spain
France 24 – 7 SA
Bok Women’s Sevens day-two fixtures (South African time):
11h08 – SA vs China (Bowl semifinal)
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