Ill-disciplined Bok Women blown away by Wales

The Springbok Women went down 50-19 to Wales in their opening match of the WXV Global Series at Cardiff Arms Park on Friday evening.

The Welsh side's tempo and momentum proved too much for the South Africans, who made a slow start and struggled to gain a foothold in a first half dominated by the hosts, who led 38-5 at the break.

South Africa showed improvement after half-time, scoring two converted tries and threatening on several other occasions. However, defensive frailties, two yellow cards in the opening spell and Wales' clinical finishing ensured they were always on the back foot and chasing the game. In the end, Wales outscored the Springbok Women by eight tries to three, handing the visitors only their third defeat in nine matches.

Wales made a brilliant start, scoring six tries in an enterprising first half display, while South Africa could manage only a single unconverted try to trail 38-5 at halftime.

The South Africans struggled to get going in the opening half as Wales repeatedly exposed the visitors' defence through slick handling and clinical finishing. Under sustained pressure, the Springbok Women's discipline also faltered, resulting in two yellow cards before the break.

The home side were impressive from the outset, crossing for two converted tries inside the first 10 minutes. They carried strongly and with purpose, while also dominating the breakdown area.

After threatening with ball in hand, outside centre Courtney Keight broke through in the wide channel to open the scoring for Wales. Barely a few minutes later, the hosts doubled their lead when powerful prop Sisilia Tuipulotu crashed over under the posts. South Africa had an opportunity to respond shortly afterwards but hooker Lindelwa Gwala lost possession over the line from a well-executed line-out maul.

A dominant scrum paved the way for South Africa's first try, with scrumhalf Felicia Jacobs diving over after the pack had laid the platform. The missed conversion left Wales leading 14-5.

Welsh scrumhalf Seren Lockwood added her side's third try inside the opening quarter. With Freya Bell's conversion attempt striking the upright, Wales extended their advantage to 19-5.

The home side's dream start continued when prop Maisie Davies scored her maiden international try after the Bok Women's defence again struggled to contain the Welsh attack. Bell's conversion stretched the lead to 26-5, with South Africa still unable to establish any momentum against the hosts.

Hooker Kelsey Jones extended Wales' advantage to 31-5 as she powered her way through the increasingly stretched defence.

Matters worsened for South Africa when lock Danelle Lochner was shown a yellow card for a dangerous tackle, which was later upgraded to a 20-minute red card. With two players in the sin bin, Wales tightened their grip on the contest and crossed for a sixth try when fullback Lisa Neumann ran onto a beautifully timed pass to score another converted try, taking the score to 38-5 just before half-time.

The second half was barely a minute old when a rampaging Tuipulotu burst through for her second try of the night, extending Wales' lead to 45-5.

South Africa then spilled another scoring opportunity when they lost possession with the tryline at their mercy. Right winger Maria Tshiremba, however, used her pace to score out wide for the visitors' second try of the evening and, with Byrhandré Dolf slotting the difficult conversion, South Africa narrowed the deficit to 45-12.

With the Bok Women now playing with greater confidence, South Africa struck again from a line-out, with outside centre Maceala Samboya crossing for their third try after her midfield partner had broken through the Welsh defence. The successful conversion reduced the score to 45-19.

The visitors threatened again following a patient build-up but were unable to ground the ball. With just over 10 minutes remaining, Wales captain and flanker Alex Callender was on hand to score in the corner, pushing the score out to 50-19 and effectively ending any hopes of a South African comeback.

SA must now regroup for their next game, next Saturday against Italy.

Score

Wales 50 (38) - Tries: Courtney Keight, Sisilia Tuipulotu (2), Seren Lockwood, Maisie Davies, Kelsey Jones, Lisa Neumann, Alex Callender. Conversions: Freya Bell (5)

Springbok Women 19 (5) - Tries: Felicia Jacobs, Maria Tshiremba, Maceala Samboya. Conversions: Byrhandré Dolf (2).