Springbok Women complete European tour with Spain shutout

The Springbok Women ended their WXV Global Series tour of Europe with a 20-0 victory over Spain at the Estadio Olímpico de la Cartuja in Seville on Sunday, leading 10-0 at half-time.

The victory was South Africa’s seventh successive win over Spain.

The match was played in hot and humid conditions, with co-coach Franzel September saying the heat forced two water breaks. Both sides showed early nerves, but South Africa’s scrum grew in confidence.

The lineout was less consistent, although the visitors managed to steal Spanish possession. A lineout steal by Vainah Ubisi while Spain were camped five metres from the South African line.

Spain’s pace and ball-in-hand approach tested the Springbok Women, while South Africa’s attempts to spread the ball were sometimes undermined by handling errors and missed touch-finding penalties.

South Africa opened the scoring in the 14th minute when lock Catha Jacobs finished a patient build-up in the Spanish 22, which had begun with a strong run from No 8 Aseza Hele off an attacking scrum. Fullback Jakkie Cilliers converted before adding a penalty to give the visitors a 10-0 half-time lead.

Hele extended the advantage early in the second half, crashing over after a turnover in the Spanish 22. Cilliers missed the conversion.

Spain’s Eider García was sent to the sin bin for offside in the 65th minute. Two minutes later, Cilliers scored in the corner to complete the scoring.

Spain continued to attack throughout, but the Springbok Women maintained their defensive intensity.

September, who shares head-coaching duties with Laurian Johannes-Haupt, said the team was pleased to score 20 points without conceding. The side had focused on disrupting Spain’s attack at source and highlighted its discipline, with no cards or high tackles.

September acknowledged the team had missed opportunities to score further tries.

The Springbok Women lost Babalwa Latsha to an ankle injury, while Nombuyekezo Mdliki had to be taken off on a stretcher. The front-row injuries had raised concerns ahead of the Ireland Test series in Cape Town this month.

Sources: SA Rugby Mag, Kickoff, Rugby365, Inside Politics, Vftt; Diamond Fields Advertiser, & Briefly News.