Springbok Women too strong for Madagascar in Rugby Africa opener

The Springbok Women scored 10 tries and showed glimpses of their growing repertoire of skills when they outplayed Madagascar 64-5 in the opening match of the 2026 Rugby Africa Women's Cup in Nairobi on Saturday.

Although Madagascar scored the first try of the match, the Bok Women then stepped up a gear and dotted down four times before half-time to lead 26-5 at the break.

Six more tries in the second half was a solid reflection of the dominance the Bok Women had on territory and possession, with their opponents only living off scraps and counter attacking crumbs.

The first try of the match, by wing Mialy Ravaoarinoro, came against the run of play as South Africa started strong and with intent, with good attacking play by the backs and strong forward drives setting the tone and they forced early penalties.

But an early kick to the corner and subsequent driving maul was stopped and a knock-on in the backline resulted in a promising attack falling flat. A wicked bounce also stopped a charging Nomawethu Mabenge from scoring with no defender in sight.

Instead, Madagascar scored from almost the only chance they had and from a counterattack, Ravaoarinoro broke free for the first try of the match.

The Bok Women were their own worst enemies with some poor handling and knock-ons due to forced passes resulting in mistakes but when they came good, it was in spectacular fashion.

Jakkie Cilliers got the first try when the ball was moved to the wing, where Mabenge kept some defenders busy before finding support from Chuma Qawe and Cilliers. She added the conversion to make it 7-5 to South Africa.

Alichia Arries scored after a long spell of attacking play and a great break by Faith Tshauke, with the wing dotting down for her first Test try in the corner.

That momentum continued when Aphiwe Ngwevu, who ran hard all afternoon, broke the defence on yet another of those hard runs. Qawe dotted down just before the break, running a good support line to Cilliers, who broke clear on an inside line and make the scoring pass.

Cilliers, who had a busy afternoon and was named Player of the Match afterwards, added two more conversions for the 26-5 lead at the break.

Soon after the restart, prop Nombuyekezo Mdliki crashed over from close range and when the replacements were called upon, the tempo upped again. The whole front row was replaced, meaning a first Test cap for prop Thandile Mazwi, and soon after Roseline Botes (replacement hooker) scored from a lineout maul.

A Madagascar player was yellow carded when they kept collapsing the SA driving mauls and it was a matter of time before they paid the price, with Botes the fines master, scoring her ninth Test try.

It then became a celebration of tries by debutants. No 8 Logan Welman opened with a long range try, running 50m to score under the posts. Cilliers converted and the lead looked much healthier at 43-5.

Mazwi crashed over for another debutant try after some good work by the pack, and Cilliers celebrated the half century with a well taken conversion from wide out.

Another opportunity or two went a begging but rather to over eagerness by the Bok Women rather than lack of effort.

As the clock ran out, Thami Yeko got the double celebration of a first cap and a first try as well after she ran onto a Mary Zulu kick and Cilliers converted for a 57-5 lead.

Zulu then scored her first Test try after a good scrum play, with the flyhalf stepping inside the cover defence to give Cilliers a conversion from straight in front that sealed the 64-5 win.

Score

Springbok Women 64 (26) – Tries: Jakkie Cilliers, Alichia Arries, Aphiwe Ngwevu, Chuma Qawe, Nombuyekezo Mdliki, Roseline Botes, Logan Welman, Thandile Mazwi, Thami Yeko, Mary Zulu. Conversions: Cilliers (7).

Madagascar 5 (5) – Try: Mialy Ravaoarinoro.