Latest news with #RugbyAfricaWomen'sCup
IOL News
8 hours ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Springbok Women prepare for challenging match against Kenya in Rugby Africa Women's Cup
Patience Mokone of the Bulls Daisies scored a brace on debut for SA in the Rugby Africa Women's Cup opener against Uganda in Madagascar. Image: Backpagepix The Springbok Women's coaches have trusted in the team that started their Rugby Africa Women's Cup opener, to again get the job done against Kenya at Stade Makis in Antananarivo on Wednesday (12om kick-off). The only change from the team that beat Uganda 62-7 is on the bench, where Nompumelelo Mathe will add impact as a loose-forward, with wing Nomawethu Mabenge missing out. The vote of confidence in the side that scored 10 tries in their opening round victory will be a boost. The extra player in the pack an indication that the team will not deviate from their forward-based game against Kenya, who opened their campaign with a good 28-5 win over Madagascar. It is also a sign of the physical challenge that the Bok Women, led by lock Anathi Qolo, expect from Kenya. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading 'We targeted a strong start in the first match and got that, so now the focus moves to the next one, against Kenya,' September said, after the opening round win. 'They scored a good win over Madagascar and are a physical side, so we will now get ready for that challenge on Wednesday.' The Bok Women's squad will have no uncapped players, unlike in their opening match when eight players ran out in the green and gold for the first time. One of those, Patience Mokone, celebrated her Test debut with two well-taken tries. 'It was a great feeling and an emotional one to walk onto the field, sing the national anthem and know that I am representing my country, but also my family on the international stage,' said Mokone. 'I was a bit nervous due to the occasion, but once I got settled in, it became just another match.' Powerful No 8 Faith Tshauke, who also scored a brace against Uganda on debut, was immense in that match and will take some stopping. Fullback Byrhandrè Dolf was also able to pull the strings for the Bok Women on attack. Unlike the inexperienced Cranes, the Kenyans are expected to be a serious challenge, but the Bok Women will be prepared, according to Mokone. 'This is our next job and we want to get it done," Mokone said. I have to focus on my role in the team and make sure I get that done. "It is not about me on Wednesday, it is about my contribution to the team. I have always played rugby that way, so nothing has changed,' she said. The Springbok Women have beaten the Kenya Lionesses in their last six matches, the latest result being a 63-5 victory in last year's edition of the tournament. That thrashing was preceded by a 77-12 mauling in Cape Town and 48-0 drubbing in Antananarivo in 2023. The Kenyans will, however, be buoyed by their recent triumphs over SA in the sevens arena, and will be hoping to replicate this form in the fifteens game. Although they have a healthy rivalry with Kenya, it will not distract from the focus of the defending champions.
IOL News
3 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Springbok Women dominate Uganda in 2025 Rugby Africa Women's Cup opener
Patience Mokone of the Bulls Daisies scored a brace on debut for SA in the Rugby Africa Women's Cup opener against Uganda in Madagascar. The Springbok Women got their 2025 Rugby Africa Women's Cup opener against Uganda in Antananarivo, Madagascar, on Saturday off to a flyer with a comprehensive 62-7 victory over the Lady Cranes that featured several try-scoring debuts. Lock Anathi Qolo captained the South African side that boasted a combined 174 caps. And despite being expected to dominate the scrum with their powerful pack, the Ugandans more than held their own in that aspect of play. The swirling wind made line-out throw-ins and clearance kicks difficult for both teams, though. The power of the SA pack was soon on display in the loose, however. Prop Xoliswa Khuzwayo and flank Lerato Makua were prominent, with strong, tackle-busting runs in midfield as the Bok Women kept the ball tight in the early exchanges. It was a tactic that seemed to catch the Lady Cranes off guard as they scrambled on defence in the face of mismatches. Qolo marked her debut as skipper with a fine opening try that was the result of sustained pressure on the Uganda tryline and quick ball through the hands, dotting down under the posts. Springbok Women's flyhalf Mary Zulu added the conversion (7-0). Uganda were struggling to cope with the rush defence from the Springboks, who dominated the battle for territory and possession, as expected. Bok Women's fullback Byrhandrѐ Dolf was growing in influence as the half wore on. She showed great hands to set up winger Simamkhele Namba on the right wing to score in the corner (12-0). Zulu missed the conversion. The Lady Cranes were forced increasingly onto the back foot. No 8 Faith Tshauke also opened her account on debut after a rolling maul off a line-out was briefly repelled by Uganda. Uganda showed the intent to give the ball air on occasion, finding room out wide. But the Boks were in uncompromising mood on defence as they snuffed out any potential danger. The Boks showed slick hands of their own, with the ball eventually ending up in Dolf's hands as they attacked at pace. The skillful fullback sidestepped a few tackles before making the score 22-0. Zulu landed the conversion this time, to extend the lead (24-0).
The Citizen
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Ten-try Bok Women too strong for Uganda
Playing with the wind in their backs in the first half, the Springbok Women showed good variation in play. The Springbok Women scored 10 tries as they kicked their Rugby Africa Women's Cup title defence off on a winning note with a 62-6 victory over Uganda on a sunny and breezy afternoon at Stade Makis in Antananarivo. The South Africans fielded eight debutants and gave a number of fringe players valuable game time. The way in which they dismantled the Lady Cranes bodes well for the future and will make the selectors' job even tougher when they have to finalise the Rugby World Cup squad in a few weeks' time. Playing with the wind in their backs in the first half, the Springbok Women showed good variation in play, going the direct route and then wide to keep the Ugandan defence honest. Loose forward Lerato Makua and debutants Faith Tshauke (No 8) and Patience Mokone (wing) all crossed for braces. In control South Africa were in control for most of the match and deservedly led 29-0 at the break, but it could have been more, with a number of unforced errors creeping into their game. The Bok Women scored at regular intervals during the opening stanza, with Makua scoring a first-half brace, while Simamkele Namba, Byrhandré Dolf and Tshauke also crossed for tries. Mary Zulu added two conversions. Makua went over under the uprights in the fifth minute and Namba, back from sevens duty, was worked over in the corner after good play from a strong attacking scrum six minutes later to give South Africa a 12-0 lead. Tshauke, looking impressive at No 8, was rewarded for her strong early play with a try on debut in the 16th minute before Dolf's try, seven minutes later, also came after the Bok Women found space out side. It took South Africa another 15 minutes before Makua crashed over for her second after the team showed great patience on attack in the Ugandan 22. Strong start to the second half The South Africans were out of the blocks in no time after the break as Tshauke added her second try with a strong run off the back of a scrum in the 42nd minute, and shortly thereafter the speedy Patience Mokone scored a breakaway try from her own 10m line, with Zulu converting both to make it 43-0 for the Bok Women with just over half and hour to go. Uganda scored against the run of play when Suzan Adong intercepted and raced away, but the Bok Women were not done yet and added another XX tries to their tally, with Aphiwe Ngwevu and Sinothile Bhengu – with a try on debut – proving unstoppable at close quarters, before Mokone linked up well with her inside backs for her second five-pointer. Uganda finished strong but failed to breach South Africa's impressive defence, with the Bok Women continuing their strong play until the 80th minute to seal a great victory.
The Citizen
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Three Springbok Women debutants to start in Rugby Africa opener
Anathi Qolo becomes the 11th Springbok Women's captain in history, while they have three debuts in their match 15 for their Rugby Africa opener. Anathi Qolo becomes the 11th Springbok Women captain in history and leads the team in their Rugby Africa opener against Uganda in Madagascar on Saturday. Picture: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images Anathi Qolo will captain a Springbok Women side with a combined 174 caps in their 2025 Rugby Africa Women's Cup opener against Uganda at the Stade Makis in Antananarivo, Madagascar on Saturday (kick-off 12pm). Three uncapped players, wing Patience Mokone and No 8 Faith Tshauke, both from the Bulls, and Anushka Groenewald, from Western Province, will be donning the green and gold for the first time. A further five uncapped players have been named on the replacements' bench in props Anuchka Ekron (WP) and Sinothile Bhengu (Sharks), lock Dineo Ndlhovu (Bulls), flanker Nobuhle Mjwara (Sharks) and centre Leigh Fortuin (WP). Fortuin and Mokone represented the Springbok Women's Sevens team earlier in the season, while all of the uncapped players, apart from Mjwara, also played for the Junior Springbok Women earlier in their careers. Sharks Women loose forward Mjwara was part of the Springbok Women WXV 2 training squad last year and attended recent alignment camps. In a serious show of intent, South Africa will start with five backs who represented the country at the previous Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, while Nomawethu Mabenge, who scored the team's first try of the tournament against France in their opener match in 2022, will come off the bench. For good measure, Mabenge was also the leading try scorer in the Madagascar tournament in 2023. 11th captain Qolo will become the 11th player to captain the Springbok Women in 21 years of international rugby and said she was happy with the preparations going into the first match. 'The squad have been progressing and focusing on the main job, which is to retain the trophy. Our set peace has been our main focus and if we add that to our skill set in the backs, we will deliver a good performance,' said Qolo. Springbok Women assistant coach Franzel September agreed with his captain and said they are expecting a physical battle and some direct rugby. 'What we saw in our analysis is that they are not scared to run with the ball, so there is an element of variety in their play, and they love doing quick taps from penalties. We prepared well and will be ready for everything they are going to throw at us,' explained September. 'We know what we want to do and how to do it, and we pride ourselves in our set-piece to secure go forward ball and that will not change just because we have some new players in the squad.' 'Some players will be desperate to impress with Rugby World Cup selection on the horizon, but we will look at how players compliment and strengthen the system, rather than them doing individual things.' Springbok women's XV Byrhandrѐ Dolf, Simamkele Namba, Chuma Qawe, Aphiwe Ngwevu, Patience Mokone, Mary Zulu, Unam Tose, Faith Tshauke, Lerato Makua, Anushka Groenewald, Anathi Qolo, Nomsa Mokwai, Nombuyekezo Mdliki, Luchell Hanekom, Xoliswa Khuzwayo Bench: Roseline Botes, Anuchka Ekron, Sinothile Bhengu, Dineo Ndlhovu, Nobuhle Mjwara, Felicia Jacobs, Leigh Fortuin, Nomawethu Mabenge
The Star
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Patience Mokone set to shine in Springbok debut at Rugby Africa Women's Cup
Patience Mokone of the Bulls Daisies will be hoping to make her Test debut for South Africa in the Rugby Africa Women's Cup in Madagascar. The odds on Springbok winger Patience Mokone enjoying another try-scoring international debut are pretty high for the flyer who can't seem to keep away from the opposition tryline, no matter the format. She did it on her Springbok Women's Sevens debut as South Africa beat Argentina in the final of the World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger tournament in Poland. She also featured in the play-off tournament in Los Angeles that ended in heartbreak for SA in the HSBC SVNS Play-off tournament. Now, the 22-year-old Bulls Daisies wing has the chance to announce herself to the Test arena as part of the Springbok squad that will defend their Rugby Africa Women's Cup title in Madagascar. The Springbok Women face Uganda in the first of three Rugby Africa Women's Cup matches in Antananarivo on Saturday next week. Kenya and the hosts are the other teams competing. Mokone, the leading try-scorer in the Women's Premier Division this year, with 13 tries for the Daises, is blessed with blistering pace, offload ability, a wicked sidestep, strength, and reads the game well. She is a nightmare for any defender, as South Africa's continental rivals could soon discover should coach Swys de Bruin choose to unleash her in Madagascar. 'Yes, it has been a good couple of months for me,' Mokone said, beaming, as the squad went through their paces in Johannesburg, from where they will fly out to Madagascar on Wednesday. 'I was a bit surprised about the sevens call-up, to be honest, but not overawed, as I knew that I was well-prepared for any eventual call-up. It was nice to play in the green and gold and I am proud of how we played in Krakow and even Los Angeles, although the results did not go our way. 'It certainly made me want more, so now that I am in line to possibly make my debut for the fifteens team is another huge opportunity.'
