The USA Eagles Women claimed a hard-fought 26-19 victory over the Springbok Women at Loftus Versfeld this afternoon, ensuring the two-match series ends in a 1-1 draw.
Following South Africa’s historic victory at Ellis Park last weekend, expectations were sky-high in Pretoria. However, the visitors brought immense physicality and capitalized on crucial South African errors at the breakdown to edge out a tight, high-tempo contest.
A Tale of Two Halves
The match was an absolute arm wrestle from the first whistle, with both sides trading blows in a fiercely competitive first half. The USA’s Hope Rogers was a standout, securing a first-half brace, while the Springbok Women answered back with brilliant attacking flair from Alichia Arries and Micke Gunter.
In the second half, the USA Eagles found another gear. A yellow card to South African 8th man Logan Welman in the 50th minute shifted the momentum, allowing the Eagles to pull away through the sheer pace and finishing ability of Bulou Mataitoga.
USA draw first blood
23 mins
Hope Rogers powers her way over the whitewash for the USA. Kristin Bitter converts. (SA 0 – 7 USA)
Springboks answer back
29 mins
Alichia Arries showcases her world-class pace to score under the poles, with Libbie Janse van Rensburg adding the extras to level the game. (SA 7 – 7 USA)
Rogers grabs a brace
32 mins
Rogers crosses for her second try of the day to put the visitors back in front. Bella Vogel converts. (SA 7 – 14 USA)
Gunter strikes before the break
36 mins
Following slick hands down the line, Micke Gunter finishes in the corner just before halftime. The conversion is missed. (SA 12 – 14 USA)
Mataitoga turns on the afterburners
43 mins
Just after the restart, Bulou Mataitoga runs in a stunning 50-meter try. Vogel converts. (SA 12 – 21 USA)
USA extends the lead
66 mins
A beautiful chip and chase allows Mataitoga to score her second, creating a 14-point buffer. (SA 12 – 26 USA)
Late lifeline for SA
69 mins
Ayanda Malinga shows her class, scoring under the poles to give South Africa a fighting chance. Janse van Rensburg converts. (SA 19 – 26 USA)
Despite a frantic final ten minutes where South Africa hammered away at the USA’s 22-meter line, handling errors in the red zone ultimately cost the home side a chance at a late draw.
"The days of us accepting defeat are gone"
While the loss stung for the home crowd, the overarching sentiment in the Springbok camp remains incredibly positive. Head coach Swys de Bruin noted his frustration with the team’s penalty count at the breakdown, which continually robbed them of attacking momentum, but he praised the squad’s undeniable growth.
“If you asked me two months ago if I will accept a drawn series, I would have taken it,” De Bruin said post-match. “The days of us accepting defeat are gone and I love that attitude. We are now taking on the big teams and matches against them are a real arm wrestle. Look back at a year ago when Canada rolled us over here at Loftus. The progress is real and we can feel it.”
Captain Babalwa Latsha echoed her coach’s sentiments, emphasizing that the team is finally starting to believe they belong on the world’s biggest stages. “We certainly are on an upward curve since the Women’s Rugby World Cup… We have no plans to go back to the team of old, we are here and we are real.”
Looking Ahead
The Springbok Women won’t have long to dwell on the result. After a short rest, the squad returns to their Stellenbosch base to prepare for a demanding two-Test tour of Fiji this August. Based on the fight they showed against the USA over the last two weeks, they are more than ready for the challenge.
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