The hosts started strongly and looked a lot more focused than during last week’s outing against the Springboks in Suva. Two breakdown penalties against South Africa handed the early momentum to the home side, with wing Atelaite Buna scoring in the left corner.

The South Africans, on the other hand, looked out of sorts and backline handling was sloppy. But the forwards steadied the ship with powerful and clinically executed set-pieces, which enabled Lindelwa Gwala to crash over, scoring her 17th try in her 40th Test, which levelled the scores.

Two yellow cards in quick succession by the Springbok Women did not help their efforts to get back into the game. First, Zintle Mpupha was binned for cynical play at the breakdown. Fiji capitalised, with two weak tackles seeing Adi Vani Buleki go over.

Springbok Maria Tshiremba scored a hat-trick in her debut. Photo: X/Springbok Women's Rugby

Then Anacadia Minnaar was shown a yellow card, and suddenly it was 13 playing 15. Amazingly, the South Africans held out on defence for the rest of the half, not conceding any points in that time. Fijiana XV went into the sheds at halftime, leading 10-5.

The South Africans showed much more intent in the second half, with Maria Tshiremba scoring three tries in her Test debut. The first followed a great run and release by Maceala Samboya, with Byrhandré Dolf converting to take the score to 12-10.

Then Fiji prop Karalaini Naisewa was binned for cynical play, resulting in Tshiremba’s second try in the corner. The hosts were not about to give up, and a poor restart by the South Africans handed a try to replacement Adi Salote Nailolo, leveling the scores.

Fijiana XV

A converted try by Vainah Ubisi from a maul put South Africa back in the lead with 12 minutes to play.  The Fijiana XV retaliated yet again, and Ivamere Rokowati scored with five minutes left on the clock. 

However, the try was not converted, and another yellow card for the hosts all but gave the game to the South Africans. Tshiremba ended the game in style with another try. South Africa have now won six of their last seven Test matches.

Scorers:

Fiji 22 (10) – Tries: Atelaite Buna, Adi Vani Buleki, Adi Salote Nailolo, Ivamere Rokowati. Conversion: Varanaise Qoro.

Springbok Women 29 (5) – Tries: Lindelwa Gwala, Maria Tshiremba (3), Vainah Ubisi. Conversions: Byrhandre Dolf (2).

OFM Sport/Ilse Smalberger dg