WALES DEVELOPMENT DEFEATED BY DEFIANT SPRINGBOKS
Despite holding the lead for 75 minutes, Wales let the game slip away in the dying minutes to allow the Springbok side to record a win on their first game of their historic tour of Wales and England.
From the whistle, Wales used the very British weather conditions to their advantage, maintaining possession and continually pushing forward. However, it was the visitors that had the first chance, with winger Minckie Ncwandi making a break through the Welsh defence. Non Evans and Hannah Szigetvari quickly regrouped to halt the attack 10 metres short of the line.
Wales regained their dominance and sent phase after phase down into the South African half. Nicola Evans showed pace more akin to a wing back than a wing forward, as she pinned her ears back before being tackled into touch. Sound recycling enabled Wales to maintain possession, with Ruth Copeland carrying at pace and laying off to Non Evans to cross for the first points of the game. Stacey Saunders took the score to 7-0.
The talent in the young backline showed in bounds, with powerful tackles and sniping runs coming from all quarters.
As the rain began to ease early in the second half South Africa took control, pressurising the Welsh line. Replacement Dinah Zweni had a superb chance denied by a knock-on, but this was forgotten minutes later as lock Marie Schoeman pushed over for the visitors’ first try of the tour.
A Springbok infringement gave Stacey Saunders a chance to extend the lead of the home side, which she duly delivered to bring the score to 10-5. It was a close range effort by Nadia Muller that enabled South Africa to pull ahead, with Marijke Nel hitting an outstanding conversion from the touchline.
Buoyed by their lead and the thunderous singing of the Springbok supporters, Minckie Ncwandi raced over from distance to seal a historic victory. South Africa now look to face Wales in a full test on Saturday (30th April) at Ebbw Vale RFC, kick-off 2.30pm.
Wales Development Caryl Thomas (Birchgrove); Nicola John (VC) (Cardiff Quins); Ruth Copeland (Llandaff North); Beth Hawke (Bridgend); Gemma Hallett (University of Central Lancashire); Nicola Evans (Wasps); Rhiannon Evans (Leicester Stoneygate); Vikki Gaylard (Llandaff North); Becky Davies (Cardiff Quins); Stacey Saunders (Tylorstown); Hannah Szigetvari (Cardiff Quins); Michaela Reed (Birchgrove); Rachel Poolman (Tycroes); Philippa Tuttiet (Clifton); Non Evans (C) Clifton Replacements Sophie Williams (Richmond); Laura Murphy (Waunarlwydd); Rachel Lane (Waunarlwydd); Anwen Hopkins (Cardiff Quins); Beth Gallagher (Waunarlwydd); Lucy Berry (Fishguard & Goodwick); Jess Kidley (Llandaff North)
South Africa Adele Van Der Westhuizen (VC) (Blue Bulls); Babalwa Vena (Border); Zilungile Makaula (KwaZulu-Natal); Dolly Mavumengwana (Border); Marie Schoeman (Blue Bulls); Wendy Khumalo (Blue Bulls); Melissa Sonnekus (Blue Bulls); Nadia Muller (Blue Bulls); Mariska Loots (Western Province); Magdalene Pylman (C) (Eastern Province); Natasha Hofmeester (Boland); Izan Nieuwoudt (Blue Bulls); Lorinda Brown (Eastern Province); Minckie Ncwandi (Eastern Province); Zandile Nojoko (Eastern Province) Replacements Elanza Coetzee (Free State); Nita Neneke (Free State); Louise Du Pisanie (Free State); Ella Erasmus (South Western Districts); Marijke Nel (Blue Bulls); Dinah Zweni (Western Province); Lily Coetzee (Blue Bulls)
