The Springbok Women started the 2025 season with a comprehensive 48-26 victory over Spain, with their powerful pack laying the foundation for a strong performance at Campo de Rugby Amorós Palao in Alicante, Spain, on Saturday, 19 April, 2025.
The South Africans scored five first-half tries, of which three were converted, as they built a deserving 31-5 lead over their hosts.
The Bok Women added a further three tries to put them out of reach in the second half, but the Spanish side finished the stronger as they piled on the pressure and were rewarded with three well-deserved tries near the end.
In the first half, the powerful South African pack laid the foundation for a solid lead. They dominated the set-piece collisions and ensured the Bok Women enjoyed majority of possession and territory.
The South Africans also looked dangerous whenever they spread the ball wide, with Nadine Roos her normal elusive self with ball in hand.
A scrum penalty gave the Boks the opportunity to set up an attacking lineout in a good position, and it was Sinazo Mcatshulwa (flanker) who went over for the first try of the game, converted by Jakkie Cilliers.
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With the SA forwards dominating proceedings, No 8 Aseza Hele was sent over for her first of two first-half tries from driving mauls, with Cilliers adding the extras as the Bok Women took control at 19-0.
A long range try after a lineout turnover followed, with Roos prominent to send Cilliers over under the posts as they made it 26-0, with just under 10 minutes to go in the opening stanza.
Outgunned, Spain tried gallantly and were rewarded with their first score when Tecia Masoko (right wing) was sent over in the corner to reduce the deficit to 26-5. But just before the break, another maul resulted in a second try for Hela as South Africa went into the halftime break with a comfortable 31-5 lead.
The second half started very much like the first, with the green and gold jerseys dominating possession, and from another powerful scrum Hela picked up from the base, powered her way forward before passing to Libbie Janse van Rensburg to score in the right-hand corner.
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This try was followed by Tayla Kinsey’s effort under the posts after the South Africans had hacked the ball up field from a Spanish mistake. Cilliers easily converted kick to make it 43-5 with more than 30 minutes remaining.
Spain refused to give up though and the impressive Masoko was sent over as the home team used their scoring opportunity clinically, cutting the lead to 43-12.
And almost straight from the restart, strong running Spanish midfielder Sahia Perez intercepted a loose pass to run as Spain gained 14 points within a few minutes to further reduce the SA lead to 43-19.
Although Yonela Ngxingolo (replacement prop was sent over for their eighth try of the afternoon, it was Spain who finished stronger when Laura Dalgado scored their third try of the second half to make the final score 48-26.
Springbok Women Starting XV vs Spain on Saturday, 19 April, 2025
Spain 26 (5) – 48 (31) South Africa
Scoring
Spain Tries: Tecia Masoko (2), Zahia Peres, Laura Delgado
Conversions: Amalia Argudo (3)
South Africa Tries: Sinazo Mcatshulwa, Aseza Hele (2), Lindelwa Gwala, Jakkie Cilliers, Libbie Janse van Rensburg, Tayla Kinsey, Yonela Ngxingolo
Conversions: Cilliers (4)
Springbok Women Starting XV
15. Nadine Roos
14. Jakkie Cilliers
13. Chumisa Qawe
12. Aphiwe Ngwevu
11. Ayanda Malinga
10. Libbie Janse Rensburg
9. Tayla Kinsey
8. Aseza Hele
7. Sinazo Mcatshulwa
6. Sizophila Solontsi
5. Anathi Qolo
4. Nolusindiso Booi
3. Babalwa Latsha
2. Lindelwa Gwala
1. Sanelisiwe Charlie
Replacements
Luchell Hanekom
Yonela Ngxingolo
Azisa Mkiva
Danelle Lochner
Catha Jacobs
Alica Willemse
Eloise Webb
Byrhandre Dolf
Original Copy: SA Rugby Communications, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: Springbok Women flanker Sinazo Mcatshulwa opened scoring for South Africa in their away beat Spain at Campo de Rugby Amorós Palao in Elche, Spain, on Saturday, 19 April, 2025. Photo: SA Rugby / Gallo Images
