The USA Under-20 Women outplayed the Junior Springbok Women by 60-17 to claim their second win in as many weeks and seal the two-match series at the Markötter Stadium in Stellenbosch on Friday, 24 July 2026.
The USA held a 31-10 lead at the break and pulled away in the last quarter, but not before a strong second-half start by the home side made it a proper contest. The USA won the first outing by 47-12, but the South Africans’ efforts were much better on a warm winter’s afternoon.
South Africa started well and, following a good kick to the corner, won the lineout, but were held up. The USA conceded again from the next play and from another five-metre lineout, Jada Davids crashed over from the drive for a 5-0 lead after seven minutes.
The USA struck back immediately through Bella Vogel, who slipped through a gap to dot down, with Annie Henrich converting for a 7-5 lead, before Kiyanah Edwards scored after good second-phase possession as simple hands gave the wing a free run in.
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No 8 Maddie Hubbell crashed over from short range for a third unanswered try after sustained drives, and the conversion took the USA clear at 17-5 after 22 minutes. Hubbell added her second soon after when a poor clearance kick opened a counter-attack, wing Sana’a Lunon finding the support runner on the inside for a converted score and a 24-5 lead.
South Africa launched their best attack of the match from the restart, with good linking play between backs and forwards gaining many metres, and from the resulting scrum penalty, No 8 Palesa Matee picked up and drove over. Hayley Hardneck pulled the conversion, leaving the score at 24-10 after half an hour.
Hubbell completed her hat-trick from another counter-attack, coming back at an angle past the drift defence, and Henrich converted for a 31-10 half-time lead after the Junior Bok Women were again held up over the line before the break.
The second half started the same way. South Africa attacked well and got over the line, only to be held up yet again. Effort was never lacking, but their game management was telling. When they kept it close through the forwards, flanker Kaylin Heuvel scored. Julene Haas converted and at 31-17, the home side had something to play for, as Owami Mohuli made telling runs and tackles off the bench.
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Replacement flanker Cora Haughey dashed those hopes with a converted try from a maul to make it 38-17 after an hour, halting the SA momentum, with a yellow card not helping.
Jasmine Fehoko went over for 43-17 from good driving play before a penalty try, awarded for pulling down a second maul, brought up the 50. South Africa tried a quick restart, only to find wing Nevaeh Elliott in full flight to score in the corner, and with time running out, hooker Alyssa Hine dotted down for the 60-17 winning margin.
The Junior Springbok Women vs. USA Under-20 Women Series at the Markötter Stadium in Stellenbosch
Fri 17 July: Junior Springbok Women 12 (0) – 47 (33) USA Under-20 Women
Fri 24 July: Junior Springbok Women 17 (10) – 60 (31) USA Under-20 Women
Points Scorers on Friday, 24 July
Junior Springbok Women – Tries: Jada Davids, Palesa Matee, Kaylin Heuvel
Conversion: Julene Haas
USA Under-20 Women – Tries: Bella Vogel, Kiyanah Edwards, Maddie Hubbell (3), Cora Haughey, Jasmine Fehoko, Nevaeh Elliott, Alyssa Hine
Penalty Try
Conversions: Annie Henrich (4)
Junior Springbok Women Team
15 Julene Haas
14 Siphumelele Mdlalose
13 Ronecia Gordon
12 Yamkela Funani
11 Keira Snyman
10 Hayley Hardneck
9 Erin Prins
8 Palesa Matee
7 Yaneliswa Plaatjie
6 Chuma Isaac (captain)
5 Abigail Smit
4 Zethu Gcaza
3 Anothando Khatswa
2 Jada Davids
1 Iviwe Jonas
Replacements
16 Vanessa Gabadi
17 Karabo Rabekane
18 Alutha Ngcezula
19 Buhle Mxoli
20 Nonkosi Ngema
21 Kaylin Heuvel
22 Asanda Mnyandu
23 Owami Mohuli
USA Under-20 Women Team
1 Kash Castro
2 Alyssa Hine
3 Likki Nau Rarick
4 Evie Danhof
5 Pip Simmons
6 Seta Pale
7 Gemma Ogoke (vice-captain)
8 Maddie Hubbell
9 Annie Henrich
10 Bella Vogel
11 Sana’a Lunon
12 Arielle Fotso (captain)
13 Gianna Veetutu
14 Kiyanah Edwards
15 Jojo Mignone
Replacements
16 Lia Tuitavake
17 Kina Latu
18 Reece Moody
19 Lala Valikoula
20 Jasmine Fehoko
21 Cora Haughey
22 Cece Rose
23 Nevaeh Elliott
Main Photo Caption: Captain Chuma Isaac led a much-improved Junior Springbok Women effort, with tries by Jada Davids, Palesa Matee and Kaylin Heuvel, in the 60-17 defeat that saw the USA Under-20 Women seal the series at the Markötter Stadium in Stellenbosch on Friday, 24 July 2026. All Photos: Gallo Images / SA Rugby
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