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Springbok Women prove power but fall to electric Black Ferns
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The second-ever Test match between the Black Ferns and Springbok Women took place at Africa’s biggest stadium on Saturday afternoon, celebrating a new chapter in ‘Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry’.
The Springbok Women had their way in the scrum and won a slew of early breakdown steals, but ultimately couldn’t keep pace with the flying Kiwis, despite the women in black conceding four yellow cards. The hosts stayed within reach for the opening half, but the Black Ferns’ pace and power were too much in the end, with a winning scoreline of 52-20 registered.
Elinor-Plum King opened the scoring in the second minute for New Zealand after a superb exit and quick tap from the visitors. Braxton Sorensen-McGee sold a dummy to break the line for the Black Ferns’ second try in the ninth minute.
South Africa struck back in the 14th minute, with a powerful rolling maul getting Lindelwa Gwala over the line.
After their early success, New Zealand struggled to get out of their half and were put under pressure at the breakdown as the Springbok scrum started to dominate. To make matters worse for the visitors, Mererangi Paul put her hand in the way of a pass and was shown a yellow card.
Libbie Janse van Rensburg put an excellent kick into touch to hand her side another strong attacking opportunity, and when a powerful rolling maul earned a penalty, Unam Tose tapped quickly and handed the ball to Aphiwe Ngwevu, who stormed over the line.
While the South African scrum proved too much for New Zealand to handle, their lineout let them down after winning hard-fought momentum. Ayesha Leti-I’iga danced through a gap in the line as a result, and while she was dragged down just shy of the line, Chryss Viliko powered over just three phases later.
The half ended with the Black Ferns playing at the line once more, eventually spinning the ball wide to an unmarked Sorensen-McGee, who ran in her second try of the afternoon. The five-pointer extended the New Zealand lead to 24-10 at the halftime break.
The second half started with a run of New Zealand penalties, earning them a warning from the referee. Within moments, Georgia Ponsonby was shown a yellow card, and moments later, Leti-I’iga followed as Vainah Ubisi scored from close range.
Being down to 13 didn’t hinder New Zealand’s attacking endeavour, and after winning a quick turnover, they struck back through Maia Joseph.
South Africa were penalised for obstruction in the 55th minute, handing New Zealand their next attacking opportunity. Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu crashed the ball up to get her team on the front foot, and again Elinor-Plum King ran a line that sliced the defence open, reaching the line for her second of the afternoon.
South Africa’s desperate defence held firm with New Zealand’s next few breaks, including one Mererangi Pual break down the right edge and a Sorensen-McGee effort down the left. The floodgates opened once more in the last 10 minutes, though, when Amarante Sititi bullied her way over the line, and Vaipulu followed soon after.
The Springbok Women had the final scoring opportunity of the game, pushing beyond the final hooter as New Zealand conceded their fourth yellow card. The hosts were able to finish on a high note with a second try to Ubisi, again from close range. Final score: 52-20 to New Zealand.
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