In a fast-paced match at Stade Makis in Antananarivo, Madagascar, Kenya Lionesses suffered a 19-12 defeat against South Africa’s Springbok Women.
South Africa edged closer to qualifying for the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup in England, a tournament they have featured in since 2006, with data showing their consistent improvement from a four-year hiatus post-2014 to qualifying for the 2022 RWC.
The inclusion of 12 debutants and low-capped players in the Springbok women’s squad, as part of their preparation, shows depth, but the tight win suggests they need to refine tactics to maintain dominance.
Springbok Women are currently top of the Rugby Women’s Cup 2025, 9 points ahead of Kenya Women, who are slowly feeling their chances of qualifying for the women’s rugby world cup slip away.
Madagascar women and Uganda women are third and fourth, respectively, in the group, both with zero points as neither team has won a game in the round-robin tournament.
South Africa’s tries came from Aphiwe Ngwevu, Lerato Makua, and Nobuhle Mjwara, with Mary Zulu converting two. Springbok women’s balanced attack was the key to handling the pressure in the second half.
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Freshia Awino and Noleen Kaleyi scored the two Kenyan tries while Sinaida Mokaya converted a try as Kenya attempted to make a comeback and upset South Africa which would have pushed them to the top of the group.
Poor performance against Kenya
Despite the win, Kenya proved to be a stronger side compared to Springbok’s 62-7 victory over Uganda on June 7, 2025.
South Africa’s coach was quick to notice his side’s poor ball retention and set-piece struggles as Kenya almost came back from 19-0 to 19-12 in the second half.
A late change of strategies for the Bok’s was necessary and the coach made some substitutions in the second half that help the team to see out the match with a final score of 19-12 in their favor.
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Kenya could, however, take some positive points from the game as the final score was a close margin compared to a 63-5 loss to South Africa in 2024.
After South Africa’s two wins and significant points difference (+62), they are poised to finish first even if they lose to Madagascar, though a win is expected given their dominance.
South Africa is expected to be in the same group as stronger World Cup opponents, such as Brazil, Italy, and France, which shows the urgency with which they need to address their tactical errors.
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