Defending champions South Africa once again recovered from a slow start to claim a 47-20 victory over a much-improved Uganda Lady Cranes side in the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup at RFUEA Grounds.
The result leaves South Africa in pole position to retain the title ahead of their final fixture against the Kenya Lionesses.
Uganda enjoyed a dream start and, just like in South Africa’s opening match, the defending champions conceded first as the Lady Cranes crossed over for an early seven-pointer to lead 7-0.
South Africa then conceded a penalty while attacking, allowing Uganda to gain territory. The Lady Cranes maintained possession well and struck again through winger Unity Namulala, who crossed over for another try to hand Uganda a 12-0 advantage.
South Africa responded in the 16th minute through winger Shaunique Alexander, who dived over at the corner for a try, though the conversion attempt drifted wide.
Handling errors continued to trouble South Africa, preventing them from capitalising despite spending long periods camped inside Uganda’s 22.
The breakthrough finally came in the 29th minute after Uganda conceded a penalty. South Africa opted for a lineout before shifting the ball wide to the right. A long pass found openside winger Alichia Arries, who beat her markers on the outside to score. The successful conversion tied the scores at 12-12.
South Africa’s improved efficiency from lineouts paid off again in the 36th minute. They kicked to the corner and, after releasing the ball to the backs, a clever offload found Logan Welman, who dived over for a converted try to give South Africa a 19-12 lead.
The defending champions were then reduced to 14 players late in the first half after a sin-bin, allowing Uganda to capitalise. Proscovia Mukyala finished off a flowing move with a try following brilliant handling from the Lady Cranes. Uganda missed the conversion as South Africa carried a narrow 19-17 lead into the halftime break.
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Uganda missed an early penalty after the restart before South Africa extended their lead through Thamie Yeko, whose try was successfully converted for a 26-17 scoreline.
In the 52nd minute, Naima Hlatshwayo crossed over for another converted try as South Africa began to pull away.
South Africa then stretched the lead to 40-17 after opting for a maul from a penalty situation, punishing Uganda’s failure to engage properly. The conversion was successful.
Alichia Arries grabbed her second try of the afternoon in the 76th minute, with the extras once again added successfully to extend South Africa’s advantage to 47-17.
Uganda had the final say through Bushira Namutemi, who drilled over for a late try in the closing moments of the match.
