Rugby World Cup African Qualifiers: Kenya defeated Madagascar on Friday in Johannesburg during the Rugby Africa Gold Cup ending the game on top with a winning score line of 35-5, beating Madagascar on Friday in Johannesburg, South Africa
On Friday, Madagascar’s Makis played against the Lionesses of Kenya during the 2019 Rugby Africa Women’s Cup, a qualifier for the 2021 Women’s Rugby World Cup. In an enthralling game, the Lionesses beat Makis 35-5.
Madagascar pressed Kenya from the start and they managed to open the scoring through Voronigue Rasoanekena, who ran over to score a try to make it 5-0 to her side early on.
However, the Lionesses took control of the match and they scored three tries through Celestine Masinde, Janet Okelo and Philadelphia Orlando to make it 15-5.
Irene Atieno converted a conversion following Orlando’s try to make it 17-5 to Kenya heading into the half-time break.
The Lionesses continued to dominate against the Makis after the restart and they extended their lead when Diana Awino and Christabel Lindo landed two more tries to make it 27-5.
Kenya sealed their 35-5 victory over Madagascar when Janet Owino scored a penalty before Masinde recorded her second try of the match in the closing stages of the game.
Kenya captain Philadelphia Orlando shared his excitement:
“It was difficult for us in the beginning because Madagascar came so hard on us in the first 20 minutes. However, we remained patient in defence and attack, and that helped us grow into the game and ultimately, win it,” she said.
“We have to work on how we start our matches because we are not happy with how we played in the opening stages of the game. It is important to improve on that ahead of the next game.”
Madagascar head coach Ravoavahy Lanto Nirina also shared his thoughts:
“We had a good first-half, but we did not take advantage of our dominance in the opening stages of the match. But overall I think my players played well. We are hoping to do well in the next match,” he said.
“We are satisfied with the front rows and we hope that in the game they will do much better and maybe win the game.”
The next games will take place on Tuesday, August 13 with Kenya taking on their East African rivals Uganda, while Madagascar are scheduled to face South Africa. The two matches will also take place at the Bosman Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa,
The top-ranked team in the group after three rounds of matches will be crowned champions of the 2019 Rugby Africa Women’s Cup and will qualify for the Women’s Rugby World Cup to be held in New Zealand in 2021.
South Africa defeat Uganda in Johannesburg in Rugby Africa Gold Cup
In another Rugby World Cup African qualifiers, South Africa defeated Uganda on Friday in Johannesburg during the Rugby Africa Gold Cup.
South Africa’s Springbok Women ended the game on top with a winning score of 89-5, beating Lady Cranes of Uganda on Friday in Johannesburg, South Africa
On Friday the Springbok Women played against the Lady Cranes during the 2019 Rugby Africa Women’s Cup, a qualifier for the 2021 Women’s Rugby World Cup. In a one-sided game, South Africa thumped Uganda 89-5.
South Africa dominated the match from start to finish with Uganda struggling to contain the Springboks.
Rights Mkhari stole the show in the first-half for the tournament hosts as she grabbed three tries within the first 20 minutes.
Zintle Mpupha (brace), Eloise Webb, Yonela Ngxingolo, Ayanda Malinga and Sinazo Mcatshulwa also grabbed tries against the Lady Cranes.
South Africa were leading 62-0 against Uganda during the half-time break having scored an impressive 10 tries.
Pressure mounted on the Lady Cranes after the restart as Webb bagged her hat-trick and Mcatshulwa grabbed a brace, while Snenhlanhla Shozi added her name to the score sheet.
Uganda fought back towards the end of the game and they scored a try through Samiya Ayikoru, but Shozi grabbed her brace to seal South Africa’s emphatic 89-5 win over Uganda.
South Africa coach Stanley Raubenheimer was delighted with his charges’ display, but he feels there is still room for improvement.
“Overall, I am happy with the girls’ performance because you cannot complain about a scoreline like that, but there are a few things which we need to work on,” he said.
“There were a few tries that we did not convert. We should have been a little more clinical. We will have to improve ahead of the next match.”
Meanwhile, Uganda coach Edgar Lemerigar is confident his team can bounce back against Kenya.
“In the first-half, you could see the element of intimidation from the girls, but in the second-half, they put up a better show in terms of defending and realignment,” he said.
“Yes, going forward we can beat Kenya.We just have to fix the errors which we made against South Africa.”
The next games are set to be played on Tuesday, August 13 with South Africa facing Madagascar, while Uganda take on their neighbours Kenya.
The top-ranked team in the group after three rounds of matches will be crowned champions of the 2019 Rugby Africa Women’s Cup and will qualify for the Women’s Rugby World Cup to be held in New Zealand in 2021.