They were far from their best, but when it mattered most, the Springbok Women rolled up their sleeves and got the job done to edge out Japan 31-24 in the WXV 2 opener at the Cape Town Stadium on Friday.
The match was in the balance right until the end despite star lock Vainah Ubisi’s try around the hour mark having put the South Africans ahead once more after the visitors had levelled matters in the 53rd minute.
The Boks’ desperate defence – and some fortune going their way after a Japanese touchdown was ruled out for obstruction – secured a welcome victory against a higher-ranked opponent.
But SA coach Swys de Bruin would not have been happy with the display, especially on defence, as the Asian outfit were able to breach the advantage line too easily throughout the 80 minutes.
Japan had greater cohesion from the start, and it was no surprise when hooker Kotomi Taniguchi crossed the whitewash after a clever lineout move that resembled the Springbok Men’s double-jump effort earlier this year.
But it didn’t take long for the powerful South African pack to get stuck in, as they produced some superb scrums and took the fight to their opponents.
Do not mess with a South African scrum ❌#WXV | #WXV2 | #RSAvJPN pic.twitter.com/hbIYVI3LJ9
The resultant pressure saw barnstorming No 8 Aseza Hele force her way over in the 13th minute, and it looked like the Boks were going to seize control of the game.
But the Japanese backline ran excellent lines and were able to outfox the Bok tacklers, and they showed off their skills too as a clever grubber kick led to flyhalf Ayasa Otsuka’s try.
The South Africans battled to get into a rhythm with ball-in-hand, but strong inside centre Chumisa Qawe was highly effective whenever she took on the Japanese, and was rewarded with a five-pointer in the 25th minute.
Wing Jakkie Cilliers missed the first two conversions, but slotted the third when loosehead prop Sanelisiwe Charlie carried two defenders over the line to put the hosts 17-12 up before halftime.
The try of the match, though, was undoubtedly dotted down by wing Ayanda Malinga. The Boks stretched the Japan defence from side to side before the dynamic Hele pulled off a stunning offload in the tackle to find Malinga, who burned the final defender with serious pace to score.
What a sidestep, what a run 😮💨
— WXV (@WXVRugby) September 27, 2024
South Africa kicked off their #WXV campaign in style 🔥
#WXV2 | #RSAvJPN pic.twitter.com/zx00UKEq0a
Japan, though, didn’t give up, and it was their forwards who gained ground with a well-organised maul that the South Africans battled to stop.
Star No 8 Seina Saito benefited from that go-forward ball and scored twice off lineout drives to draw Japan level at 24-24 with 27 minutes to go.
A yellow card to Otsuka for a dangerous ruck clean-out halted their momentum, though, and the Boks pounced when Ubisi grounded the ball to claim a 31-24 lead.
Put this one down as precision 👏@JRFURugby are bursting into action in this #WXV opener!#WXV2 | #RSAvJPN pic.twitter.com/7WB8z1IcGx
Japan camped inside the South African 22 for much of the final quarter, but just could not break through the green wall as the Boks showed real guts and determination to hold on for a memorable victory.
Points-Scorers
South Africa 31 – Tries: Aseza Hele, Chumisa Qawe, Sanelisiwe Charlie, Ayanda Malinga, Vainah Ubisi. Conversions: Jakkie Cilliers (3).
Japan 24 – Tries: Kotomi Taniguchi, Ayasa Otsuka, Seina Saito (2). Conversions: Otsuka (1), Misaki Matsumura (1).