Springbok Women fight hard but USA claim series draw at Loftus

South Africa won the first Test at Ellis Park last week, but came up against a determined USA side, while they own effort fell short of expectations and a famous series win.

The match kicked off in perfect playing conditions with hardly any wind and sunny skies, but sadly, the same could not be said of the first 20 minutes play on the field. Both sides were far too erratic in their execution and made numerous errors and after the first quarter, both coaches would have been scratching their heads.

The USA started best and had South Africa under early pressure, enjoying possession and territory, but despite three early penalties, could not put any points on the board. A break-out put the Bok Women in a good position but a lost lineout halted momentum.

It was scrappy rugby at best, with both sides unable to get their games going, and handling errors the main culprit to a stop-start match. The Bok Women were their own worst enemies, conceding too many penalties at the breakdown.

The USA had two attacking opportunities and failed on both occasions, with a spilled lineout near the Bok line the most frustrating to their coaching staff.

Hope Rogers eventually scored after a number of charges up the middle. The Bok Women were again pinged twice in their red zone and from another tap and go, the USA prop crashed over next to the posts. Bella Vogel converted and USA were up 7-0 after 21 minutes of play.

The visitors lost tighthead prop Elizabeth Cook due to injury in the same movement and she was replaced by Reece Woods.

It took them 25 minutes to fire, but when they did, the Bok Women did so in impressive fashion. A beautiful run by Alichia Arries, in which she rounded three defenders, finished in a brilliant try under the sticks. Jakkie Cilliers converted to make it 7-7.

The USA were back on the attack though and they mauled strongly, seemingly losing the ball over the tryline only for Cilliers to snap it up and run 100m to score at the other end, but the TMO intervened and from the replays, it was clear that Rogers had actually scored her second try.

The USA Women were back in the lead, with Vogel's conversion from the touchline making it 14-7 after 30 minutes.

The Bok Women came back instantly. From a lineout, a good couple of runs by the forwards ended with Micke Gunter scoring in the corner to cut the lead to two points, the same margin at halftime.

The USA started the second half very well when wing Telesi Uhatafe swerved past a couple of would-be tacklers to score under the posts and Vogel extended the lead to 21-12.

USA kept up the pressure and the Bok Women's misery at the breakdowns continued, with referee Zoe Naude sending Logan Welman to the sin-bin. Uhatafe thought she scored a second, but she was stopped by a brilliant Eloise Webb tackle and the Boks could regather their composure.

They worked their way up the field with a good drive, got the reward when the USA were penalised and Cilliers kicked to the corner. A couple of pick-and-drives got them momentum, but the misery continued with another breakdown penalty and the opportunity wasted.

Welman returned and with SA coach Swys de Bruin clearing his bench, the home side had one final deck of cards to play with 20 minutes left.

However, a probing kick on the counter-attack by USA saw Uhatafe cross for her second try as the ball bounced nicely for the flying wing. That handed the visitors a 26-12 lead with 14 minutes to play.

A brilliant break by Ayanda Malinga led to a try under the posts, with Cilliersâ™ conversion changing the dynamics of the match again at 26-19 with 12 minutes to play.

Hard as they tried through, the Bok Women could just not muster a final play that could secure a draw. They lost an attacking lineout, opted for a scrum from a penalty and were pushed off the ball, and then lost the ball in contact.

That summed up their efforts for the day â- brave enough but not good enough.

Scorers:

Springbok Women 19 (12) -- Tries: Alichia Arries, Micke Gunter, Ayanda Malinga. Conversions: Jakkie Cilliers (2).

USA Women 26 (14) -- Tries: Hope Rogers (2), Telesi Uhatafe (2). Conversions: Bella Vogel (3).

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