SA Women fight hard for second World Cup win
South Africa scored their second victory of the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2010 when they defeated Kazakhstan 25-10 in hard-fought play-off match at Guildford, England. SA led 10-5 at halftime against the Asian champions who overwhelmed them 36-0 in a 2006 World Cup fixture in Canada.
It was their third win over their rivals this year and the result means the SA Women have now won six of their eight matches this year and two of their four fixtures at this tournament. South Africa will play Wales in the ninth place play-off on Sunday after the Welsh beat Sweden 34-10.
The match will also be remembered for a somewhat dubious distinction. Eight players, five from Kazakhstan, were yellow carded by Irish referee David Keane for mostly repeated offences.
South Africa scored three tries through Phumeza Gadu (left wing), Zenay Jordaan (fly half) and substitute Cherne Roberts (right wing). Full back Zandile Nojoko added two penalties and two conversions while Kazakhstan replied with two tries.
The result was particularly pleasing for the South Africans who had three players missing because of injury, including captain Mandisa Williams, and also had a fourth unavailable through suspension.
Furthermore, prop Nedene Botha left the field towards the end of the game with an ankle injury and the team will be hoping she recovers in time for the rematch against Wales on Sunday.
Kazakhstan preferred to keep the ball amongst their forwards and forced SA into committing numerous errors. The South Africans finally pulled away in the last five minutes, when their greater fitness gave them the edge, fly half Jordaan and substitute winger Roberts scoring a try each to seal the match.
Gadu had a good match and apart from her thrilling individual try, also made two try-saving tackles. Nineteen-year old Jordaan is playing better with each match and she was rewarded for another good performance by scoring a try from her own kick though.
Wannies and captain, Lorinda Brown said they were happy with the result, but they both agreed that much improvement is necessary for the next Welsh challenge.
“It was a very physical game and they did their homework, restricting us at our set pieces and disrupting us upfront. However, we did much better in the lineouts and we need to use that as a stepping stone for our last match on Sunday,” explained Wannies.
Brown added: “Our discipline was not good at all and we made too many basic mistakes. We could net get much momentum upfront, but our fitness carried us through in the end when we scored twice in the last five minutes.”
Scorers:
South Africa Women: Tries – Phumeza Gadu, Zenay Jordaan, Cherne Roberts; Penalties – Zandile Nojoko (2); Conversions – Nojoko (2).
Kazakhstan: Tries – Irina Amossova, Alfiya Mustafina
Issued by SARU Communications
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