The Springbok Women took a step closer to qualification for the 2021 World Cup after beating Madagascar 73-0 in Brakpan on Tuesday.
Rights Mkhari (lock) scored a hat-trick for the home side, while powerful No 8 Aseza Hele, Snenhlanhla Shozi and Ayanda Malinga (wing), and replacement back Aphiwe Ngwevu also made valuable contributions with braces. The team scored 13 tries in total.
The win marked the Springbok Women’s team’s second of the tournament, and ensured that their closing match against Kenya on Saturday would mark the decider for the available spot in the international showpiece in New Zealand in 2021.
The Kenyans delivered a strong second-half performance which earned them a 37-5 victory against Uganda in the other qualifying match on Tuesday.
Coach Stanley Raubenheimer was a happy man after the win, but admitted that there were work-ons for his side going into their final match.
‘It was a pleasing result and it was good to see how the things we worked on during the week came together. With 13 tries, there is little to complain about, so I am happy,’ said Raubenheimer.
‘I think we can be more accurate in our execution, especially in the opposition’s half.
‘There were people who said from the outset it would be between us and Kenya for that spot, and it has come down that. So it is now up to us to go out there and perform on Saturday.’
The Springbok Women will face Kenya in their final qualifying match on Saturday, while Madagascar will line up against Uganda.
The team at the top of the table at the end of the competition will book their place in the 2021 Women’s Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.
Photo: Wessel Oosthuizen/Gallo Images
