Fiji break Springbok Women’s hearts with last-gasp win in Auckland

16 October 2022 - 11:07 By Sports staff
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Siteri Rasolea of Fiji smashes through the South African defence during the Pool C Rugby World Cup 2021 match at Waitakere Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand on October 16 2022.
Siteri Rasolea of Fiji smashes through the South African defence during the Pool C Rugby World Cup 2021 match at Waitakere Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand on October 16 2022.
Image: Greg Bowker/Getty Images

It was heartbreak for the Springbok Women as they lost 21-17 (14-7) in their second pool clash at the Women’s Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, with a try at the death clinching the victory for Fiji after 80 minutes of tense rugby.

A minute earlier South Africa took a 17-14 lead through a Libbie Janse van Rensburg penalty. But they failed to control the ball from the restart, Fiji worked it through a number of phases and Karalaini Naisewa scored the match-winning try.

After yet another slow start, the Springbok Women stepped things up in the second half with Aseza Hele and Janse van Rensburg making the Fijian defence work hard. The South Africans managed to keep their opponents scoreless for 39 minutes, but another unforced error ended up costing them victory.

Discipline was costly as the Springbok Women conceded eight penalties to Fiji’s three before the break, and a yellow card to Nomawethu Mabenge for a deliberate knock-down.

While the SA wing was in the sin bin, Fiji scored their first try through her opposite number, Ilisapeci Delaiwau, with Lavena Cavuru’s successful conversion putting them in a 7-0 lead after 13 minutes.

The Women Boks finally got into a good field position after a mistake by Fiji and after a patient build-up Zintle Mpupha found some space to score South Africa’s first try, and Janse van Rensburg’s conversion made it 7-7 with minutes left until half time.

But they lost concentration and on the stroke of half-time Akanisi Sokoiwasa went over for a second try for Fijiana to five them a 14-7 lead at the break.

Fiji started the second half like they finished the first, but a try by Vika Matarugu was cancelled after the TMO spotted an earlier knock-on.

That seemed the galvanise the South Africans, and with a number of replacements coming on, the Women Boks played with a spring in their step, working their way upfield and into scoring territory.

They scored after an hour and it was appropriate that Hele barged her way over, the try just reward for a huge performance by the South African No 8.

Janse van Rensburg converted to make it 14-14, setting up a big final quarter, but the Springbok Women were still guilty of making unforced errors and conceding silly penalties — SA gave away 11 second-half penalties — giving Fiji attacking opportunities.

Cavuru had a shot at goal with three minutes to go, but pulled it wide and after that, South Africa put together a good phase of attacking rugby, which ended with a penalty 35 metres out on the angle, but Janse van Rensburg was spot on with the kick, to put her side in the lead by three points.

But the restart went back to Fiji, Naisewa did what was necessary and the match finished in misery for a Springbok Women’s team that know it could have won this one.

Despite the result, there was joy for Zenay Jordaan, who became the most-capped Springbok Women’s player when she came on for her 35th Test cap after the break, while Janse van Rensburg’s seven points from the boot saw her become the first SA women’s player to pass 100 Test points.

Springbok Women 17 (7) — Tries: Zintle Mpupha, Aseza Hele. Conversions: Libbie Janse van Rensburg (2). Penalty goal: Janse van Rensburg.

Fiji 21 (14) — Tries: Ilisapeci Delaiwau, Akanisi Sokoiwasa, Karalaini Naisewa. Conversions: Lavena Cavuru (3).


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