It’s elimination time in the race to the 2025 Women’s World Cup in England for the four adversaries at the second round of the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup at Stade Makis in Antananarivo, Madagascar on Wednesday, May 8.
The pressure is particularly on Kenya, whose supporters had some hope of winning the tournament until home team Madagascar surprised them in the first round with an excellent second-half performance.
And Madagascar, in turn, will hope to win and increase their points difference in the match against Cameroon in the second match of Round 2.
(Both matches will be broadcast live on Rugby Africa’s YouTube Page and SuperSport).
The first match, Round 2:
Kenya vs South Africa (Kick-off 13:00 East Africa Time)(noon SA Time)
To retain their dream of first place to qualify for the World Cup tournament, the Kenya Lionesses need to beat defending champions South Africa in their match on Wednesday.
There is also a berth in the WXV 3 for the team finishing second, with the door to the World Cup still a fraction open at the WXV 3 tournament in Dubai in October 2024. The Springboks Women are the out-and-out favorites against Kenya.
This is despite 11 changes to the defending champions’ match-day squad, with nine of those changes in the starting team that defeated Cameroon 55-0 in the first round on Saturday, May 4.
History, despite surprises and improbable turnarounds, show that South Africa are favourites to win a third successive title.
The South Africa Springboks defeated Kenya 48-0 in the 2023 Rugby Africa Women’s Cup and followed that up with a huge 77-12 win in the WXV 2 tournament in the Western Cape.
It will take a huge effort tomorrow from the Kenya forwards and more cohesion – and cooperation, if you want – in backline defense where the Lionesses ultimately lost to the great Madagascar fightback in the second half.
The South Africa Springboks defeated Kenya 48-0 in the 2023 Rugby Africa Women’s Cup and followed that up with a huge 77-12 win in the WXV 2 tournament in the Western Cape.
It will take a huge effort tomorrow from the Kenya forwards and more cohesion – and cooperation if you want – in backline defence where the Lionesses ultimately lost to the great Madagascar fightback in the second half.
South African captain Nolusindiso Booi, who increases her test tally to a record 44 on Wednesday, made it very clear that the Springboks’ game plan is forward-based and told SA Rugby that “the pack of forwards will have to dominate and force their pack into submission. We need to scrum well, force penalties and get our maul going for the tryline. It is no secret that we play that way.
“I believe Kenya will try to get around us on the outside, so the defence of our backline will be key in that regard,” Booi added.
The Kenyan backs seemed to be bunching too often in the midfield on Saturday, with players looking seemingly uncertain who should target which attacking player. This created gaps on the outside that Madagascar exploited well in especially the second half.
The options taken by their scrumhalf Winnie Awino and the way centres Terry Ayesa and Faith Livoi must gel and particularly defend, are major factors to the success they hope for.
- One expects South Africa to follow the same pattern, despite largely different personnel, than they did against Cameroon – and the Kenya front row of Rose Otieno, Knight Otuoma, tighthead and captain Natasha Emali will be key to deny South Africa early front foot possession.
South Africa, after softening up the Cameroon forwards, show they have plenty of firepower at the back on Saturday. They will believe that the much-changed backline could do likewise.
Whatever the result, the match promises plenty of decision-making by new personnel to make it through this match on the road to what could well be the route to the 2025 World Cup in England.
Teams for Wednesday’s match, South Africa vs Kenya –
South Africa
- Xoliswa Khuzwayo
- Roseline Botes
- Azisa Mkiva
- Nolusindiso Booi (captain)
- Vainah Ubisi
- Lusanda Dumke
- Sinazo Mcatshulwa
- Sizophila Solontsi
- Tayla Kinsey
- Mary Zulu
- Sikholiwe 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.)
- Naomi Jelagat
- Heslah Khisa
- Mitchelle Akinyi
- Maureen Chebet
- Enid Ouma
- Winnie Awino
- Anne Ochieng
- Terry Ayesa
12. Faith Livoi - Esther Juma
14. Diana Awino
15. Diana Omosso
Replacements – - Michelle Atieno
- Jane Chanya
18. Sheilah Wesa - Nolin Khaleyi
- Diana Kemunto
21. Mitchelle Alivitsa
22. Hellen Anyango - Carol Nyamwamu
Second match, round 2:
Madagascar vs Cameroon (Kick-off 15:00 East Africa Time) (14:00 SA time)
Madagascar have their home supporters to boost them to a win with a chance to qualify for the Women’s World Cup or the WXV 2 tournament in South Africa later this year.
The homefront plays a Cameroon side that, despite noticeable improvement in their rugby quality since 2023, fell short by 0-55 against South Africa in the opening match on Saturday.
No doubt the quality of the fine 29-22 Madagascar win, brought about by some scintillating second-half rugby, will be what they will aim for now.
The Cameroon match day squad surprisingly shows only one change, i.e. replacement hooker Lucrisse Ndoungou.
That in itself points to the belief that their coaching staff wants to work on a team that has shown good, albeit losing, form against South Africa.
Whether they will be good enough to upset home team Madagascar, remains to be seen.
Madagascar struggled against Kenya in the first half, and it could just be that Cameroon will try to take them up front, thereby preventing the free-running and slick handling of the home side’s back.
The Madagascar forwards showed that they should not be underestimated, although their most impressive play was when the Kenya players were off the field for their yellow-card transgressions.
Teams for Wednesday’s match, Madagascar vs Cameroon –
Madagascar
- Fenitiniaina Razafindramanga
- Laurence Rasoanandrasana
- Mamiso Rasoarimalala
- Felaniaina Rakotoarison
- Oliviane Yvanah Andriatsilavina
- Volatiana Marie Rasoanandrasana
- Delphine Sarindra Raharimalala
- Sariaka Malala Nomenjanahary
- Joela Mirasoa Fenohasina
- Vacilly Rahariravaka
- Olivia Mamy Nirina Hanitriniana
- Valisoa Erickah Razanakiniana
- Veronique Rasoanekena
- Claudia Maminiaina Rasoarimalala
- Tiana Jinah Razanamahefa
Replacements –
- Mioa Laurencia Rabarivelo
- Nomenjanahary Aina Rakotozafy
- Fenosoa Razanakolona
- Jeanne Sorrin
- Modestine Raharimalala
- Marie Sophie Razafiarisoa
- Mialy Tiana Ravaorinoro
- Nofy Nomenjanahary
Cameroon
- Catalina Nyapey II
- Olga Ebobisse
- Gladys Magala
- Cathy Younga Ewane
- Lina Christelle Tchinkou Fosso
- Teclaire Marlye Endalle Nkouane
- Raissa Mengue
- Mimosette Mouto
- Hononrine Fri Mbuh
- Priso Ndingo
- Jeanne Kanse
- Carina Monthe
- Goodness Timchia
- Christelle Mimbe Mevungou
- Suzy Mbeya
Replacements – - Lucrece Ndoungo
- Irene Ngassa
- Sorelle Tchuikeu
- Lea Eboule
- Andrea Ntou Ndoh Moussima
- Vanelle Ngongang Ndenkep
- Marie Nsie
- Christelle Ange Tchamba
The second round of the 2024 Rugby Africa Women’s Cup, will commence at 13:00 (East Africa Time) tomorrow, Wednesday, May 8, with South Africa playing against Kenya. Followed by a match between Madagascar and Cameroon at 15:00 (East Africa Time).
All matches will be streamed on Supersport (https://supersport.com), the Rugby Africa Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/events/958202042423551) and YouTube Page (https://youtube.com/live/6aLemrhvBt4?feature=share).
