adminIT was a MASSACRE – the 10th worst defeat in the history of women’s rugby union.
The Lady Sables were left licking their wounds in Cape Town yesterday after they were HAMMERED 108-0 by neighbours South Africa in a Pool A match of the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup campaign at City Park yesterday.
It’s the 10th worst defeat in the history of the game, when it comes to battles between nations.
The Springbok Women also became only the 10th women’s side to score, at least, 108 points, in a single rugby union showdown.
The Netherlands’ 141-3 rout of Denmark still sets the pace followed by New Zealand’s 134-6 thrashing of Germany, the United States’ 121-0 hammering of Japan, Spain’s 119-0 battering of Finland and New Zealand’s 117-0 massacre of Germany.
Netherlands’ 113-0 thrashing of Denmark, the United States’ 111-0 thumping of Sweden and New Zealand’s 109-0 battering of France are the other matches in which the winning margin represented a whitewash.
Yesterday, it was the turn of the Lady Chevrons.
Springbok Women’s coach Stanley Raubenheimer praised his charges for not dropping their intensity.
They ran in 17 tries without conceding any, with Nomawethu Mabenge (wing) and Aphiwe Ngwevu (centre) each bagging a hat-trick.
“We are focusing on a number of things at this three-week camp, which includes this Test and the one against Namibia next week,” said Raubenheimer.
“One of those is defence and how to improve on that, so from that perspective, I am pleased with the effort.
“There were still line breaks by Zimbabwe, so it was not a perfect performance on defence by all means, and that means we have some work to do at training.
“To score all those tries and still keep the intensity up, was well done by the team and they deserve credit for that.”
Raubenheimer said the team stuck to their plan even when they seemingly scored tries at will.
“That was good discipline on our side. We kept to our structures and the rewards came, so I am happy. We will look at our defensive lapses, but overall, a good day for all involved.”
Mabenge scored her first try in the third minute and from then on in, a South African try became a regular feature of the match.
Zintle Mpupha followed shortly after Mabenge’s run down the line before the forwards took matters into their own hands. Lindelwa Gwala (hooker) was the beneficiary of a good lineout drive by her pack, scoring the third try of the match.
Zimbabwe enjoyed some possession and moved into the half of the Bok Women, only to concede a turnover and another try.
Libbie Janse van Rensburg broke well and when stopped, the flyhalf put wing Ayanda Malinga in space and over in the corner.
Industrious No 8 Sizo Solontzi was next on the score sheet off the back of another strong drive from the lineout before Mpupha sliced through for her second.
The awareness of the SA side on attack brought them the next try. Zimbabwe tried to clear from near their line, but the kick failed to find touch, and in a flash Lusanda Dumke was worked over.
Mabenge was on the score sheet for a second time soon after, again following a bruising run down the line.
Scorers:
South Africa 108 (53) – Tries: Nomawethu Mabenge (3), Zintle Mpupha (2), Lindelwa Gwala, Ayanda Malinga (2), Sizo Solontsi (2), Lusanda Dumke, Sinazo Mcatshulwa, Nadine Roos, Tayla Kinsey, Aphiwe Ngwevu (3).
Conversions: Libbie Janse van Rensburg (4), Tayla Kinsey (2), Zenay Jordaan (4). Penalty goal: Kinsey. – Sports Reporter/SA Rugby
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter