Springbok women make history

The Springbok Women are preparing for the Rugby World Cup Women’s quarter finals after making it out of the pool stage for the first time in history. 

The team secured their quarter-final spot after a  29-24 win against Italy, with Sinazo Mcatshulwa scoring the winning try only six minutes from time. 

This was the South African team’s first victory against Italy and has allowed the squad to break into the top ten on the World Rugby rankings. 

Italy is ranked four places above South Africa, but even so, the Springbok women led from the first few minutes after a try from Aseza Hela.

Scores from Nadine Roos, Ayanda Malinga, and Sizophila Solontsi gave the Springboks the lead twice, but the Italian team fought back on both occasions. 

In the match report, the Springboks described the first 40 minutes of the game as “ebbing and flowing” as “momentum shifted between both sides.”

Just before the hour mark, the Springboks took the lead after a try from Solontsi was converted by Byrhandré Dolf. Italy, however, levelled the game with a converted try from Sara Seye.

Only 24 hours after a 31-31 draw between the US and Australia on the same ground, the York Community Stadium, the Springbok ladies seemed poised for a draw. 

“This was a game that no team deserved to lose, but Mcatshulwa’s late try made sure it was South Africa who claimed the spoils in front of the 6,045-strong crowd,” the match report read. 

Mark Alexander, President of the South African Rugby Union, praised the team for their performance.

“You have made history, and you have made us proud. It was a performance that transcended sport. It was not only a remarkable victory – it was a demonstration of what it means to be South African,” he said. 

The victory followed the Springboks’ 66-6 win against Brazil in the first pool-stage match. 

“We’re not done yet”

Flyhalf Libbie Janse Van Rensburg said that, while gratitude, pride and joy are still lingering around them, the squad is preparing for their final Pool D match against France at Franklin’s Gardens in Northampton on September 7. 

Both teams have already secured their spots in the playoffs, but will be playing for pool honours. 

“We are still feeling very good about ourselves, but suddenly there is that added feeling of us going even further,” said Janse Van Rensburg. 

She said that the squad desperately wanted to make it to the top eight, but now that they have, they plan on taking their victory further. 

“That game against Italy, as important as it was, was not our final act. We want more, and we are not done yet.”

Janse Van Rensburg won Player of the Match against Italy. She added: “The talk in the camp is that we can now get past the last eight and into the semi-finals, and I honestly don’t think it is a pipe dream.”

Seven of the eight quarterfinalists have already been confirmed: France, Ireland, New Zealand, Canada, Scotland, and World Rugby’s top-ranked team, England.

Only the second team from Pool A is still to be decided, with Australia and the United States in the running.