Springbok Women Dig Deep to Overcome Kenya in Gritty Africa Cup Clash

It wasn’t pretty, and it certainly wasn’t easy — but it was a win worth fighting for.

The Springbok Women stayed unbeaten at the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup in Madagascar after grinding out a 19-12 victory over a determined Kenyan side on Wednesday. With their eyes set on the 2025 Rugby World Cup, this encounter offered more than just another W on the board it gave the South Africans a proper test of character.

A Battle, Not a Breeze

This second-round clash came with its fair share of bruises. Kenya, bolstered by a number of their speedy sevens stars, came out firing and pushed the Bok Women all the way. South Africa, though, stuck to a game plan built on territory and defensive grit and it paid off.

“We knew this would be a physical game, and it was,” said assistant coach Franzel September after the match. “Credit to the ladies — they stayed in the fight, they trusted the system, and it worked.”

The game saw South Africa absorb long periods of Kenyan pressure, with a few head-scratching calls from the officials forcing the Boks to adjust on the fly. Despite the chaos, the South Africans remained composed.

Why This Win Matters More than Most

While the scoreline was tight, the significance of this result stretched well beyond the final whistle. With the Rugby World Cup around the corner, this was a golden opportunity for several Bok players to stretch their legs — and their limits — under true Test pressure.

“We got solid minutes into players who are in World Cup contention, and that’s massive,” said September. “Some of the younger players also got a real taste of what it means to grind out a full 80 at this level.”

The victory also reaffirmed one of the team’s core strengths: defence.

“We take pride in our defence,” added September. “That effort laid the platform for us today.”

Looking Ahead: Tournament Hosts Madagascar Awaits

With two wins from two and momentum building, the Bok Women will next face host nation Madagascar on Sunday in what promises to be a vibrant and emotional final fixture of the campaign.

After that, they’ll return home — hopefully with three wins in the bag, valuable minutes logged, and another step taken toward the global stage.

Source:Sabc Sport

Read more: Springbok Women Step Boldly Into Africa Cup Defence with Eye on 2025

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