The Springbok Women went down fighting in a 23-19 loss to Italy in their final match of the 2024 WXV 2 tournament at the Athlone Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday.
Leading the other WXV 2 results of the day, Australia’s Wallaroos edged an epic contest to beat defending champion champions Scotland 31-22 to become WXV 2 champions as they also qualified for Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, alongside Scotland, Italy and Wales, while Wales beat Japan to avoid the relegation position to WXV 3.
WXV Rugby will take a break during next year’s World Cup in England, which South Africa has qualified for by virtue of having beaten Madagascar to retain their continental title in in May earlier this year.
On Saturday, South Africa went into the WXV2 clash as underdogs, having lost their previous fixtures against Italy by 25 and 18 points respectively, but on the day, however, the Bok Women showed more intent and tenacity – particularly after the break – and came within one score of securing a famous win.
Swys de Bruin’s charges made an early statement at the scrum and maul, and when Babalwa Latsha (tighthead prop) crashed over the try-line in the seventh minute, they were well in control of the contest.
But the complexion of the game changed after Chumisa Qawe (inside centre) was shown a yellow card for a high tackle in the 15th minute, and the hosts were forced to defend with 14 players.
Italy converted their chances deep in South African territory, with outside centre Michela Sillari dotting down and prop Silvia Turani scoring a brace. If not for two wayward conversion attempts by Sillari, the visitors may have led by more than 10 points at half-time.
De Bruin deployed his ‘Bomb Squad’ in the 46th minute, and the reserves made an immediate impact at the set pieces and collisions. Italy repelled South Africa for a brief period, before Aseza Hele (replacement loose forward) powered over the tryline.
Nadine Roos (flyhalf) provided the spark for the South Africa’s third try, counter-attacking from deep and finding plenty of team-mates in support.
Photo: Johan Rynners – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images
The sweeping run was eventually finished by Ayanda Malinga (wing), who rounded the cover defence to score under the posts. Roos proceeded to kick her team into a 19-17 lead.
Italy regained the advantage in the 63rd minute. South African replacement scrumhalf Unam Tose was sent to the sin bin for a reckless tackle, and Italy centre Beatrice Rigoni slotted a penalty goal from right in front.
The Bok Women battled to exit their half during Tose’s absence, and conceded yet another penalty within kicking distance. Rignoi extended Italy’s lead to six points. With time running out, South Africa marched downfield and created a series of opportunities, but ultimately failed to control the ball at the crucial moment.
South Africa 19 – 23 Italy
Springbok Women 19 (7)
Tries: Babalwa Latsha, Aseza Hele, Ayanda Mailnga
Conversions: Nadine Roos (2)
Italy 23 (17)
Tries: Silvia Turani (2), Michela Sillari
Conversion: Sillari
Penalty goals: Beatrice Rigoni (2)
Springbok Women XV vs Italy in Cape Town on Saturday, 12 October, 2024
15. Eloise Webb (Border Ladies)
14. Nomawethu Mabenge (Boland Dames)
13. Zintle Mpupha (Bulls Daisies)
12. Chumisa Qawe (Bulls Daisies)
11. Ayanda Malinga (Bulls Daisies)
10. Nadine Roos (unattached)
9. Tayla Kinsey (Vice-captain; Sharks Women)
8. Sizophila Solontsi (Bulls Daisies)
7. Catha Jacobs (Leicester Tigers Women)
6. Lusanda Dumke (Captain, Bulls Daisies)
5. Vainah Ubisi (Bulls Daisies)
4. Nolusindiso Booi (Captain, DHL Western Province)
3. Babalwa Latsha (Harlequins Women)
2. Lindelwa Gwala (Ealing Trailfinders)
1. Yonela Ngxingolo (Bulls Daisies)
Replacements
16. Micke Gunter (Bulls Daisies)
17. Sanelisiwe Charlie (Bulls Daisies)
18. Nombuyekezo Mdliki (Border Ladies)
19. Danelle Lochner (Harlequins Women)
20. Sinazo Mcatshulwa (DHL Western Province)
21. Aseza Hele (Sanlam Boland Dames)
22. Unam Tose (Bulls Daisies)
23. Byrhandre Dolf (Bulls Daisies)
Fixtures and Results of the 2024 World Rugby Women’s WXV 2 Tournament in Cape Town
Friday, 27 September: South Africa 31-24 Japan (DHL Stadium)
Saturday, 28 September: Australia 37-5 Wales (DHL Stadium)
Saturday, 28 September: Italy 0-19 Scotland (DHL Stadium)
Saturday, 5 October -12h30: Wales 5-8 Italy (Athlone Stadium)
Saturday, 5 October -14h00: Japan 13-19 Scotland (Athlone Stadium)
Saturday, 5 October -17h00: South Africa 26-33 Australia (Athlone Stadium)
Friday, 11 October – 16h00: Wales 19-10 Japan (Athlone Stadium)
Saturday, 12 October – 14h00: South Africa 19-23 Italy (Athlone Stadium)
Saturday, 12 October, 17:00: Australia 31-22 Scotland (Athlone Stadium)
Pre-WXV Match Schedule at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town
Saturday 7 September: Springbok Women 59 – 17 Barbarians
Thursday, 19 September: Springbok Women 36 – 19 Spain
Original Copy: SA Rugby Communications and World Rugby, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: Tayla Kinsey of South Africa passes the ball down the line. The Springbok Women lost their final WXV 2 2024 tie against Italy at Athlone Sports Stadium on October 12, 2024 in Cape Town, South Africa. Photo: Johan Rynners – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images
Photo 2 Caption: Francesca Sgorbini is stopped in her tracks by Aseza Hele, but Italy had the better of the day. Photo: Johan Rynners – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images
Photo 3 Caption: Sofia Stefan in the motion of booting the ball downfield at Athlone Sports Stadium on Saturday. Photo: Johan Rynners – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images
Photo 3 Caption: The South African and Italian scrums at work during the series’s final Test. Photo: Johan Rynners – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images
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