Final Matches – Round 3
The history of sport is filled with examples of upsets, and looking clinically at the final match of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup at the Stade Makis on Sunday, May 12, a qualification to the 2025 Women’s World Cup in England, that is what home team Madagascar needs: a big upset against South Africa.
The odds probably also favor Kenya in the early match against Cameroon, a side that should not be taken lightly after a noticeable improvement from last year.
(Both matches will be broadcast live on RugbyPass TV, SuperSport Rugby Africa’s YouTube & Facebook Page, more information is available below)
Second Match (Decider)
Madagascar vs South Africa (Kick-off 15:00 East Africa Time)( 14:00 SA Time)
This is not a cup final, it is merely the last league match for all four teams playing in the third round of the 2024 Rugby Africa Women’s Cup – and the defending champions South Africa need only a draw to secure their spot in the Women’s World Cup due to a far superior points difference.
So far, the Springboks have scored 118 points and conceded only five in their first two matches. The South African Springboks have won both their previous matches against Madagascar by huge margins, piling up scores of more than 70 in both their previous Women’s Africa Rugby Cup meetings thus far: 73-0 in 2019 in Brakpan, and 79-8 last year in Antananarivo.
That is a huge results gap to close, but there have been bigger surprises in rugby and sport in general.
In the second round, South Africa showed some intent to run the ball from the outset against Kenya. This may be the case again, but despite some changes in the preparation to which coach Lous Koen referred before the second round, one can bet that the Springboks will again start with an effort of forward domination as the cornerstone of their play.
They will, after all, kick off with seven starting forwards that played in the 2021 Women’s World Cup. But then, the Springboks’ backline also has its stars, lots of experience at halfback, penetration at center, and speed on the wing.
Expect the Springboks to implement their old rugby approach of softening up at front, and then strike at the back when the opposition tires.
- However, the effectiveness of this approach is dependent on the attacking leeway offered by Madagascar’s defense.
Fired up by what is expected to be a huge crowd, the home team will defend their hearts out and stand up, insofar as they can, to the South African scrum. Whether they can keep that up for 80 minutes, is the question that will determine the winner.
Madagascar captain Fenitriniaina Razafindramanga in a pre-match interview on Friday hinted that they will approach the match with changed tactics.
Expect more kicks from Madagascar, perhaps in an effort to stretch the big South African forwards, and then to keep to a solid defensive structure.
If this is indeed their planned tactic, they will have to beware of the counter-attack of the free-running three-quarters of the Springboks.
Madagascar has made several changes to the team that had to dig deep for their win against Cameroon. Time will determine whether this addition strengthens their team and improves the quality of the game.
To sum up: A fired-up Madagascar may hold its own for a while, and the scoreboard will likely reflect a good improvement from the teams’ previous two meetings. In the end, however, South Africa should win convincingly.
But then, surprises do happen …
First Match
Cameroon vs Kenya (Kick-off 13:00 East Africa Time)(noon SA Time)
Cameroon is probably the team that showed the most improvement since the 2023 Rugby Africa Women’s Cup.
They play a Kenya side that, like Cameroon, will be keen to register a first win.
For Cameroon to win, however, the most important requisite will be to finish more of their created opportunities with points. They narrowly lost to Madagascar in the second round (5-12).
One cannot fault Cameroon’s effort, but probably their main downfall in that match on Wednesday was a lack of fluency in their passing, a tendency to selfishness with the ball in hand, and not to use supporting players.
Kenya will, nevertheless, find them a motivated team that will give their all on defense. And if Cameroon has worked on their options and passing, they could just perhaps surprise. The motivation is there …
- On the Kenya side, their first two matches were lost to South Africa and Madagascar.
There has been something lacking in Kenya’s teamwork, and even in their urgency, thus far in the competition.
Both these perceived weaknesses can probably be put down to the fact that Kenya’s best women players are currently split. According to Kenya coach Paul Murunga they have a group of about 20 players who remained in Kenya where they were preparing for the coming Challengers Sevens competitions in Europe and other internationals.
“There is now so much rugby, with sevens and fifteens, that we will have to work on our depth,” Murunga said.
It would be good for rugby fanatics across Africa to see the Lionesses at their best against Cameroon, who are gradually becoming a force. It could be a rugby fest for the expected big crowd.
The final round of the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup will kick off at 13:00 (East Africa Time) local time in Madagascar (noon SA Time), with Kenya’s Lionesses competing against Cameroon. Followed by the deciding match, South Africa’s Springboks and Madagascar at 15:00 (East Africa Time) local time in Madagascar (14:00 SA Time).
To Access Live Stream:
RugbyPass TV: https://rugbypass.tv/live/266625
SuperSport: https://www.youtube.com/@supersport/streams
Rugby Africa YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/RugbyAfrique
Rugby Africa Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RugbyAfrique/
To View Broadcast:
SuperSport Linear: Channel 244
Teams –
MADAGASCAR
- Fenitriniaina Razafindramanga (capt.)
- Nomenjanahary Aina Rakotozafy
- Miora Laurencia Rabarivelo
- Modestine Raharimalala
- Jeanne Sorrin
- Oliviane Yvanah Andriatsilavinia
- Delphine Sarindra Raharimalala
- Laurencia Tasoanandrasana
- Vonjimalala Ranorovololona
- Marie Sophie Razafiarisoa
- Olivia Mamy Nirina Hanitriniaina
- Valisoa Erickah Razanakiniana
- Veronique Rasoanekena
- Claudia Maminiaina Rasoarimalala
- Tiana Jinah Razanamahefa
Replacements:
- Mamisoa Rasoarimalala
- Sariaka Malala Nomenjanahary
- Volatiana Marie Fleurys Rasoanandrasana
- Felaniaina Jeanie Rakotoarison
- Joela Mirasoa Fenohasina
21. Vacilly Rahariravaka - Nofy Nomenjanahary
23.Mialy Tiana Ravaorinoro
SOUTH AFRICA
- Xoliswa Khuzwayo
- Roseline Botes
- Azisa Mkiva
- Nolusindiso Booi (capt.)
- Vainah Ubisi
- Lusanda Dumke
- Sinazo Mcatshulwa
- Sizophila Solontsi
- Tayla Kinsey
- Mary Zulu
- Sikoliwe Mdletshe
- Aphiwe Ngwevu
- Jakkie Cilliers
- Nomawethu Mabenge
- Byrhandrè Dolf
Replacements:
16. Lindelwa Gwala
17. Sanelisiwe Charlie
18. Amber Schonert
19. Nomsa Mokwai
20. Nompumelelo Mathe
21. Anathi Qolo
22. Rumandi Potgieter
23. Piwokuhle Nyanda
KENYA
- Rose Otieno
- Knight Otuoma
- Natashae Emali (capt.)
- Maureen Chebet
- Fai Levoi
- Mitchelle Akinyi
- Diana Kemunto
- Enid Ouma
- Diana Omosso
- Anne Ochieng
- Terry Ayesa
12. Lewin Amazimbi - Esther Juma
14. Diana Awino
15. Helen Achieng
Replacements : - Mitchelle Atieno
- Elizabeh Nekesa
18. Jane Chanya - Nolin Khaleyi
- Naomi Jelagat
21. Mitchelle Alivitsa - Refa Ochando
23. Hesla Khisa
CAMEROON
- Catalina Nyapey II
- Irene Ngassa
- Gladys Magala
- Cathy Youga Ewane
5. Andrea Moussima (capt.)
6. Teclaire Marlyse Endalle Nkouane - Raissa Mengue
- Mimmosette Mouto
- Honorine Fri Mbuh
10. Priso Ndingo - Valdez Mundangwedi
12. Carina Monthe
13. Vanelle Ngongang Ndenkep - Marie Clair Nsie
15. Goodness Timchia C
Replacements : - Sorelle Tchuikeu Ninel
- Patience Mballa Onana
18. Olga Ebobisse - Carisse Tatja Kwamen
- Raissa Ngoh Eyindo
21. Chistelle Mimbe Mevoungou - Jeanne Kanse
- Christelle Ange Tchamba
