Big Kenya and Springbok wins open Africa Cup

The Kenya Lionesses secured their first win in the 2021 Women’s Rugby World Cup Qualifiers after beating Madagscar 35-5 in the 2:00pm kick off match.

Madagascar drew first blood half way into the first half with the conversion drifting wide. Three minutes later, the Lionesses who seemed to take a bit too long to settle in this encounter leveled up the scores to 5 a piece as Celestine Masinde  crossed over the whitewash. Grace Adhiambo’s conversion was short.

While deep in the opponent’s 22, the Lionesses forwards ball carrying skills could be seen as they slowly made their way to the try line. Scrumhalf Irene Atieno sent the ball to the backs whose interplay resulted in a gap opening up and Janet Okello cutting through it to land her side’s second try. The conversion again drifting wide. Philadelphia Olando extended her Pride’s lead to 17-5 at the stroke of half time as she landed a center post try with Irene Atieno adding the extras.

The second half, the Lionesses added an extra 18 points through the Impala Saracens’ duo of Diana Awino and Christabel Lindo who landed a try each. The spectators were served with Janet Okello’s signature run and rounding of her defenders as she made her way to the in goal area. She played in Celestine Masinde who landed her brace and the last of the Lionesses tries, the conversion sailed wide. Christabel’s and Masinde’s second try sandwiched a Janet Owino’s penalty kick that was a result of Madagascar’s infringement.

Kenya:1 Juliet Nyambura, 2 Staycy Atieno, 3 Imogen Hooper, 4 Enid Ouma, 5 Bernedette Olesia, 6 Janet Owino,  7  Mitchelle Akinyi, 8 Leah Wambui, 9 Irene Otieno, 10 Grace Adhiambo, 11 Christabel Lindo, 12 Philadelphia Olando, 13 Celestine Masinde, 14 Diana Awino, 15 Janet Okello16 Knight Otuma, 17 Mercy Migongo, 18 Millicent Opala, 19 Emmaculate Aquor, 20 Evelyne Kalemera, 21 Veronicah Kalimera, 22 Sheila Chajira, 23 Stella Wafula

Madagascar (squad):1. Voahangy Lalaina Hanitramalala (JSM); 2. Nanou Loula Razafializay (SCB); 3. Josiane Patricia Soloniaina (JSM); 4. Nomenjanahary Sarindra Sahondramalala (3FB); 5. Monica Rasoloniaina (FTVL); 6. Delphine Sarindra Raharimalala (FTM); 7. Sariaka Nomenjanahary (SCB); 8. Laurence Rasoanandrasana (SCB); 9. Vonjimalala Ranorovololona (3FB); 10. Voahirana Marie Sophie Razafiarisoa (3FB); 11. Tiana Jinah Razanamahefa (SCB); 12. Nantenaina Patricia Ravololonirina (SCB); 13. Farasoa Tantely Razafimahefa (3FB); 14. Claudia Maminiaina Rasoarimalala (FTM); 15. Fabrina Holiniaina (captain - FTM); 16. Hajalalaina Marie Josiane Razafindrafara (JSM); 17. Tikasoa Raholinirina (JSM); 18. Veronique Eluriche Rasoanekena (RCTS); 19. Tsiriniaina Bodonirina Ravololoharijaona (3FB); 20. Andoniaina Randrianarijaona (SCB); 21. Herizo Lydia Rasoarimanana (SCB); 22. Joela Mirasoa Fenohasina (assistant captain - FTM); 23. Marie Christine Bodonandrianina (FTFA); 24. Fenitriniaina Hanta Razafindramanga (FTM); 25. Ginah Christine Fihononana Raharimalala (FTM)Head Coach – Lanto Nirina Ravoavahy; Assistant Coach – Dina Orleans Razafindratsara Manandraibe; Team Manager – Victor Lie Andriavelomanana; Team Doctor - Voahanginirina Vololoniaina Rasolomanoa

In the second game of the day, South Africa swept to their biggest ever test match win with an 89-5 win over Uganda.

Lock Rights Mkhari scored the first two tries in the opening five minutes, Sinazo Mcatshulwa scores the third try in the 11th minute, Zintle Mpupha broke through for the point try in the 15th minute, and Rights Mkhari earnt her hat-trick in the 19th minute.

Bok captain Babalwa Latsha scored in the 21stminutes to take the score to 36-0, Ayanda Malinga took the score to 41-0 in the 26th minute, Zintle Mpupha added her second try in the 30th minute after a fantastic line break by Zenay Jordaan.

Things went from bad to worse for Uganda as in a few minutes they lost hooker Yvonne Najjuma through injury and then conceded a yellow card after 33 minutes, and South Africa took full advanatge with Yonela Ngxingolo and Eloise Webb scoring befor half-time, which came with the home team 62-0 ahead.

Webb added her second try soon after the break, but once Uganda were back to fifteen players the scoring slowed.

A Snenhlanhla Shozi try to the Springboks to 72-0 in the 56thminute, Sinazo Mcatshulwa added her second try soon after, and Webb completed her hat-trick in the 70thminute to take the score to 84-0.

But Uganda were not finished and a great break by Samiya Ayikoru put them on the board, but one more Springbok try ended the game with a 15-try 89-5 win.

Uganda: 1.Christine Nakayiza, 2.Yvonne Najjuma, 3  Evelyne Aweku, 4.Winnie Atyang, 5 Charity Atmango, 6.Helen Gizamba, 7.Mary Gloria Ayot, 8,Beatrice Atirn, 9 Rosenburg Kanyumyuzi, 10.Harriet Kayonjo, 11 Esher Tine, 12 Peace Lekuru, 13 Asha Nakityo, 14 Julie Nondowula 15.Somiya Ayikoro16.Peace Miremba 17.Faith Narnugga, 18Iirene Nzige, 19 Teddy Iwutung, 20.Claire Anena, 21.Agnes Nokuy. 22.Ernmanuella Orooma

South Africa:15 Eloise Webb (SA Rugby contracted), 14 Ayanda Malinga (Golden Lions), 13 Zintle Mpupha (SA Rugby contracted), 12 Zinhle Ndawonde (KZN), 11 Snenhlanhla Shozi (Border), 10 Zenay Jordaan (SA Rugby contracted), 9 Tayla Kinsey (KZN), 8 Aseza Hele (Eastern Province), 7 Sinazo Mcatshulwa (Western Province), 6 Lusanda Dumke (Border), 5 Rights Mkhari (SA Rugby contracted), 4 Celeste Adonis (Boland), 3 Babalwa Latsha (captain - Western Province), 2 Lindelwa Gwala (KZN), 1 Yonela Ngxingolo (Border).Replacements: 16 Annique Geswind (Western Province), 17 Onako Jita (Boland), 18 Maxine Engelbrecht (Griquas), 19 Kathy Diuda, 20 Sizophila Solontsi (KZN), 21 Delicia Jacobs, 22 Vuyolwethu Maqolo, 23 Aphiwe Ngwevu (Border)