Tough start for Bok Women’s Sevens in Bordeaux

The Springbok Women's Sevens lost both their matches on the opening day of the HSBC SVNS Bordeaux, against France and New Zealand.

The opener against France (22-7) delivered some positive moments but it was a much tougher outing against New Zealand, where they lost 42-0.

In their opening match against France, the Bok Women tackled like demons, with their defensive set stopping the home side time after time. South Africa made 32 tackles in the match and most of them we effective, but not dominant enough to turn the French over or really slow down their attack.

It was an encouraging effort though and the 22-7 scoreline probably flattered the French, who had some 50/50 calls going their way.

The match started with South Africa defending for three minutes and holding up France over the line. They then lost Ayanda Malinga to the sin bin, which opened the gap for France to score for a 5-0 lead.

The Bok Women hit back though, and Maria Tshiremba scored after proper possession, breaking through a tackle with power, then ran with pace. Byrhandré Dolf converted and suddenly the South Africans were 7-5 up.

France scored on the buzzer from what a pass that could easily have been called forward but it wasn’t and the hosts led 10-7 at the break.

The second half was more of the same, with the SA defence showing real commitment and effort, kept France at bay time and time again, but something had to give and France scored a third for a 17-7 lead.

South Africa, one score away from a losing bonus point, kept plugging away, but with no success and it was France who scored the final try for a 22-7 win.

Against New Zealand, the South Africans were under the pump from the start. The Kiwis scored from the kick-off, with a couple of deft passes opening up their defence for Manaia Nuku to score and convert her own try.

In a blink, the team in black got their second when Jorja Miller finished a slick move for another converted try.

A rare moment of possession delivered some excitement for the Bok Women, but they lost possession and New Zealand could launch again. Vianca Boer was given a yellow card for trying to slow play down following a penalty and Mahina Paul raced in with no one in front of her. The conversion was good and the lead 21-0.

From the restart, NZ scored again when they won the battle in the air and attacked the open space and at the break, New Zealand held a 28-0 lead.

The second half continued in the same way. An early try by Katelyn Vahaakolo extended the lead into the thirties, not ideal for the South Africans who needed a positive points difference to get out of the pool.

Paul got her second from a counterattack, extending the lead into the forties.

On Saturday, the Bok Women’s Sevens’ final pool match is against Argentina at 2.16pm.

Scores

South Africa 7 (7), France 22 (10)

SA – Try: Maria Tshiremba. Conversion: Byrhandré Dolf.

France – Tries: Lou Noel (2), Lea Trollier, Hawa Tounkara. Conversion: Chloe Jacquet.

South Africa 0, New Zealand 42 (28)

NZ – Tries: Manaia Nuku (2), Jorja Miller, Mahina Paul (2), Katelyn Vahaakolo. Conversions: Manaia Nuku (4), Risi Pouri-Lane (2).