Springbok Women's Sevens into Africa Cup quarters

The Springbok Women's Sevens team scored 17 tries and conceded none on day one of the Rugby Africa Women's Sevens Cup in Nairobi on Saturday, easing past Mauritius (68-0) and Zimbabwe (47-0) to secure a quarter-final berth against Ghana at 8am (SA time) on Sunday.

The South African attack was impressive all afternoon but some solid defence also aided the team as they outclassed their opponents at the RFUEA Grounds in Kenya's capital.

Two tries by wing Maria Tshiremba in the opening half of the first match gave set the tone for her team, who dotted down five times for a 33-0 lead at the break.

Tshiremba scored in the opening minute and after Simamkele Namba raced through, scored her second from the resulting restart. Nadine Roos scored after a nice show-and-go and Namba added another before the break.

The second half saw a number of changes and replacements Ayanda Malinga and Patience Mokone scored soon after their entry in the game. A Vianca Boer double extended the lead even further, before Mokone bagged a second on the buzzer for a 10-try romp.

Against Zimbabwe, Nadine Roos stamped her authority on the game early, with two well-taken tries and she converted a Namba try for a 16-point haul in the 21-0 lead at the break.

The second half belonged to Mokone, with the speedster bagging three tries in quick succession. Tshiremba opened the second half scoring before her fellow winger took over to punish Zimbabwe even further.

Scores

South Africa 68 (33), Mauritius 0 (0)

SA - Tries: Maria Tshiremba (2), Simamkele Namba (2), Nadine Roos, Ayanda Malinga, Patience Mokone (2), Vianca Boer (2). Conversions: Roos (5), Byrhandre Dolf (4).

South Africa 47 (21), Zimbabwe 0 (0)

SA - Tries: Nadine Roos (2), Simamkele Namba, Maria Tshiremba, Patience Mokone (3). Conversions: Roos (4), Byrhandre Dolf (2).

Springbok Women’s Sevens squad for the Rugby Africa Women’s Sevens Cup

Leigh Fortuin, Asisipho Plaatjies, Patience Mokone, Zintle Mpupha, Vianca Boer, Shiniqwa Lamprecht, Maria Tshiremba, Simamkele Namba, Nadine Roos (captain), Byrhandrè Dolf, Ayanda Malinga, Liske Lategan.