The Bok Women struggled against top competition on Day 2 of the HSBC SVNS, when losses to Brazil and Japan marred the African champions’ most concerted efforts to make headway at BC Place in Vancouver on Saturday, 24 February, 2024.
The Bok Women took few of the numerous scoring opportunities in their final pool match against Brazil, and that cost them a 17-12 defeat. Two first-half tries by the Brazilians helped them to a 10-0 lead at the break, and when they scored two minutes into the second half, it looked like a done deal.
But two well-taken Nadine Roos tries cut into that lead, with one more score needed to draw the game, but sadly they run out of time. The bonus point earned was not enough to save them from a fourth-place finish in the pool.
The recurring theme of fading in the second half then returned against Japan in the ninth-place play-off match at BC Place where the South Africans conceded 24 unanswered points in the closing stages.
Another try by Roos handed her team a 5-0 lead after four minutes, but Japan scored a minute later to equal matters. The second half turned into a one-sided affair for the team in red and white, and they scored three more tries to race away to a comfortable win.
In other matches decisive of order at the top of the log, the defending champions scored six tries to beat Spain 36-0 while it was a much tighter affair for the Canada, squeezing past the USA by 12-10.
France and Australia are also alive, after beating Brazil and Fiji respectively in their semi-finals. In the 9th pace semi-finals, Japan beat South Africa and Ireland took victory over Great Britain.
Pool Stages Decided
New Zealand continued their rampant day one form as they scored seven tries in a 43-5 victory over Ireland to wrap up Pool A and deny the Perth champions the chance at a quarter-final. Instead it was Brazil, following up their upset over Ireland with a 17-12 win against South Africa in their last pool match, who took their spot in the quarters.
Both Australia and USA had already confirmed quarter-finals after day one, but locked 12-12 at full time in their Pool B decider, the top spot went down to extra-time. It was Australia’s Maddison Levi who scored the crucial golden point, scooping up a loose ball and going the full length of the field to score.
France made it three from three by defeating Great Britain 31-10 to top Pool C. Home nation Canada secured their spot with a 22-5 victory over Spain, but the Spanish still had enough points to make it to the quarter-final stage as one of the next-best, alongside Pool B’s Fiji.
USA vs Canada
An epic battle between the North American countries ended 12-10 to the host nation, holding off a late fightback from the USA to clinch their semi-final spot.
In a game that saw three yellow cards, two for the USA and one for Canada, Florence Symonds broke the deadlock and was the only scorer in a tense first half, the Canadians lead 5-0 at the break.
In a strange set of events yellow cards led to tries for both sides – Ariana Ramsey scored after Alex Sedrick went off for the USA, and Krissy Scurfield did the same for Canada just after Asia Hogan-Rochester went to the bin. Ramsey would score a second, but Alev Kelter missed the crucial conversion in the final moments.
Canada will face now face the rampant New Zealand in Sunday’s semi-finals.
New Zealand v Spain
In another try-filled display, New Zealand overcame Spain and advanced to the semi-final stages by 36-0.
Despite a yellow card the defending champions kept Spain scoreless and scored six of their own to continue their title defence in Vancouver and maintain their hopes of a first gold medal of the season.
Having scored seven in the final pool game, it takes their total to 24 for the tournament.
France v Brazil
After an early try from Brazil, it was all France in this quarter-final, Joanna Grisez scoring a brace as the French took a 24-5 victory.
Brazil were the first on the scoresheet thanks to Aline Ribeiro’s try, but despite fine form in this tournament it was the French who then took control with two tries before the half-time whistle to take the lead.
With two more in the second it was procedural for the French, advancing to a thrilling semi-final clash with series leaders Australia.
Australia v Fiji
Australia booked their place in the semi-finals with an entertaining 35-19 win over Fiji.
The SVNS leaders powered into the game and scored a flurry of tries, Maddison Levi, Kaitlin Shave and Faith Nathan all scoring in a cruising first-half display. Heleina Young replied early in the second, but Australia scored two more to secure their spot in the semi-finals and with it a chance at redeeming their home loss in Perth.
The Springbok Women’s Sevens next face Great Britain in the 11th-place playoff on Sunday evening. The opening match on the final day of action at BC Place starts at 20h15 (SA time).
South Africa Pool Fixtures and Results at the HSBC SVNS in Vancouver (SA Times)
Friday, 23 February
South Africa 7 (0), Ireland 28 (14)
SA – Try: Nadine Roos.
Conversion: Roos.
Ireland – Tries: Amee Leigh Murphy Crowe (2), Stacey Flood, Beibhinn Parsons.
Conversions: Lucy Rock (4).
Saturday, 24 February
South Africa 5 (5), New Zealand 35 (7)
SA – Try: Nadine Roos.
NZ – Tries: Michaela Blyde (2), Shiray Kaka, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, Jazmin Felxi-Hothham. Conversions: Tyla King (4), Manaia Nuku.
SA 12 (0), Brazil 17 (10)
SA – Tries: Nadine Roos (2). Conversion: Roos.
Brazil – Tries: Bianca Silva, Thalita Costa, Rafaela Zanellato. Conversion: Raquel Kochhann.
South Africa 5 (5), Japan 24 (5)
SA – Try: Nadine Roos.
Japan – Tries: Chiaki Seagusa, Wakaba Hara, Marin Kajiki, Mio Yamanaka. Conversions: Hanoko Utsami, Michiyo Suda.
Springbok Women’s Sevens Squad
Forwards
#4 Zintle Mpupha (co-captain)
#13 Kemisetso Baloyi
#14 Simamkele Namba
#18 Shiniqwa Lamprecht
#23 Bianca Augustyn
#8 Shona-Leah Weston
Backs
#10 Mathrin Simmers (co-captain)
#9 Nadine Roos
#5 Marlize de Bruin
#16 Maria Tshiremba
#15 Alichia Arries
#7 Eloise Webb
#3 Ayanda Malinga
Original Copy: SA Rugby Communications and World Rugby, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: South Africa captain Zintle Mpupha launches an attack against the New Zealand defense on day one the HSBC SVNS at BC Place on 23 February, 2024 in Vancouver, Canada. Photo: Mike Lee – KLC fotos for World Rugby
Group Photo: South Africa captain Zintle Mpupha joins the Captain’s photo prior to the HSBC SVNS Vancouver at Musqueam Cultural Centre on 21 February, 2024 in Vancouver, Canada. Photo: Mike Lee – KLC fotos for World Rugby
(0 rating, 0 votes, rated)
Loading...
