Good start for Bok Women but more fine-tuning needed

The Springbok Women started the defence of the Rugby Africa Women's Cup the way the coaching staff hoped they would, scoring heaps of tries while a number of new caps could also get a taste of test match rugby.

That was the view from Bok Women assistant coach Franzel September after South Africa outplayed Uganda 62-7 at Stade Makis, Antananarivo on Saturday.

“It was a good start, we did well to score more than 60 points and that was pleasing,” September said after the victory.

“It was not perfect and we do have a couple of work-ons going forward, but we are happy, especially for some of the new caps, who last played a competitive match in the Women's Premier Division at the end of March.”

September said the way in which the team defended and retained possession were core areas of success: “Highlights were our defence as we pride ourselves on that, while we kept the ball well during phases and could lay a good foundation on attack that way.”

With two matches to go, the South Africans will not get ahead of themselves, September pointed out.

“We targeted a strong start in the first match and got that, so now the focus moves to the next one, against Kenya,” he said.

“They scored a good win over Madagascar and are a physical side, so we will now get ready for that challenge on Wednesday.”

The match-23 for the second round clash will be annouced on Monday.