Women’s Rugby World Cup Qualifiers: Uganda 15-15 Madagascar, South Africa 39-0 Kenya

Women’s Rugby World Cup African Qualifiers: Uganda drew 15-15 with Madagascar on Saturday in Johannesburg during the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup

Uganda’s Lady Cranes were held to a 15-15 draw by the Makis of Madagascar on Saturday in Johannesburg, South Africa

On Saturday, the Lady Cranes played against the Makis during the 2019 Rugby Africa Women’s Cup, a qualifier for the 2021 Women’s Rugby World Cup. In an evenly matched game, Uganda and Madagascar played to a 15-15 stalemate.

The Makis got off to a bright start against the Lady Cranes, but they failed to convert two penalties in the opening stages of the match.

Madagascar were left to rue those two misses as Uganda opened the scoring through Julie Nandawula’s try and Mary Kyoita converted the penalty to take a 7-0 lead.

However, the Makis managed to score a few minutes before half-time through Fabrina Holiniana’s penalty to ensure that the first-half ended with Uganda leading 7-3.

Madagascar came out firing after the interval as they grabbed their first try through Holiniana, but Kyoita made 10-7 to Uganda with a penalty conversion.

The Makis never lost hope as they responded with a try by Patricia Ravololonirina and Holiniana scored her second penalty to make it 15-10 to Madagascar.

However, Samiya Ayikoru had other ideas as she grabbed a late try for the Lady Cranes, and ultimately the match ended in a 15-15 stalemate.

Uganda coach Edgar Lemerigar felt that his charges were selfish on the day, but he believes the Lady Cranes benefitted from competing in the competition.

“The players were selfish on three occasions today. Madagascar were quick, but we tried to stop them. We blame ourselves for this draw,” he said.

“Yes, the players have benefited from this tournament. We have seen some progress in how we play. The last game ended in a draw which means we are on the right path.”

Madagascar coach Ravoavahy Lanto Nirina was pleased to see his side secure a draw in their final match and he also revealed that it was important for the Makis to compete in the international tournament.

“We made some mistakes and we were punished. It was tense throughout the match. We were under pressure in the closing stages of the match, but we held on,” he said.

“It was important for us to compete in this tournament because met international teams. We have been missing that and we have benefitted from participating in the tournament.”

The stalemate saw Uganda and Madagascar end their 2019 Rugby Africa Women’s Cup campaign with an identical records having recorded two defeats and one draw.

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 defeated Kenya 39-0 on Saturday in Johannesburg during the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup

On Saturday, the Springbok Women played against the Lionesses during the 2019 Rugby Africa Women’s Cup, a qualifier for the 2021 Women’s Rugby World Cup. In an enthralling game, South Africa defeated Kenya 39-0.

The Springbok Women got off to a flying start as they grabbed two early tries through Zintle Mpupha and Lindelwa Gwala which unsettled the Lionesses.

Tayla Kinsey recorded two conversions to make it 14-0 to the hosts before she scored her first try to extend South Africa’s lead.

The momentum was with the Springbok Women and they scored their fourth try through Snenhlanhla Shozi after a good move by South Africa, who were deservedly leading 24-0 at the interval.

The Lionesses were pinned back in their own half for long periods in the second-half, but the East Africans produced a determined defensive display to hold the hosts.

However, Stanley Raubenheimer’s charges piled pressure on Kenya and they did score their fifth try through Aseza Hele to extend South Africa’s lead.

Mathrin Simmers and Rights Mkhari then sealed South Africa’s 39-0 victory over Kenya with late tries as the Springbok Women qualify for the Women’s World Cup for the fourth time.

South Africa head coach Stanley Raubenheimer expressed his delight after guiding his side to the 2021 Women’s Rugby World Cup finals.

“Look, I am just happy we qualified. Now the hard work starts from here onwards. There are a lot of mistakes that we need to work on, but I am just delighted after qualifying,” he said.

“We have to go out there and represent Africa with pride. So, that is something that we will think about in the next two years and plan for what we want to do there.”

Kenya head coach Felix Oloo admitted that South Africa were the better side on the day and he is pleased with how his charges performed in the tournament.

“The game did not go our way because South Africa dominated the match. South Africa did very well in the setpieces,” he said.

“Yes, definitely, the players gained a lot of experience from participating in this tournament. They played their hearts out. We will try to improve in the next two years.”

South Africa finished at the top of the group after three rounds of matches and the Springbok Women were crowned champions of the 2019 Rugby Africa Women’s Cup, and they have also qualified for the Women’s Rugby World Cup to be held in New Zealand in 2021.

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