Springbok Women fall just short against Italy despite thrilling Bomb Squad explosion

They were going nowhere slowly for 45 minutes and then the ‘Bomb Squad’ sparked the Springbok Women into life, but they came up just short in a 23-19 WXV 2 loss to Italy at Athlone Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The Italians led 17-7 at halftime and looked to have had the measure of the South Africans, who made a series of handling errors and poor decisions on attack, and experienced a few defensive lapses out wide.

The Bok Women still dominated the scrums and mauls, but weren’t able to take advantage of the front-foot ball and also got the short end of the stick in some decisions by referee Precious Pazani.

FT | 🇮🇹 Italy 23-19 South Africa 🇿🇦

The Italian defence stands firm as it goes right to the death in Cape Town 💥#HereForHer | #WXV2 pic.twitter.com/K7Ptsw2w0v

— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) October 12, 2024

Halfbacks Tayla Kinsey and Nadine Roos opted to put in kicks too often when inside the Italian half, and those wasted opportunities brought great relief to the visitors when they were under pressure in defence.

The South Africans needed to show greater patience with ball-in-hand, but it was not to be in the first half following prop Babalwa Latsha’s 11th-minute try off a five-metre scrum.

Instead, it was the wily Italians who displayed the necessary skills to unlock the South African defence.

A yellow card to powerful Bok centre Chumisa Qawe for a high tackle saw the Italians work their way into the SA 22, and loosehead prop Silvia Turani barged over from close range.

Despite having a number of attacking opportunities, the wrong options taken by the South Africans even had coach Swys de Bruin shouting in frustration on the sidelines.

The hosts paid the price before halftime when Italian centre Michela Sillari rounded off a superb passage of play as SA were moved from side to side in defence, and then they also lost flank Lusanda Dumke to concussion.

The Sillari step 🔥

Michela Sillari with a delicious sidestep to put Italy ahead in Cape Town 🇿🇦#WXV | #WXV2 | #RSAvITA pic.twitter.com/JLZXv3ZHMx

— WXV (@WXVRugby) October 12, 2024

The Boks then proceeded to lose a lineout and then knocked-on in their own 22, and it was Turani who pounced again for her second touchdown after some flimsy SA defence.

Six minutes into the second half, De Bruin had seen enough and made wholesale changes by introducing the Bomb Squad, and it made an immediate difference.

Suddenly the home side imposed themselves on their opponents, seemed more assured with ball-in-hand and were decisive on attack.

Powerful loose forwards Aseza Hele and Sinazo Mcatshulwa were the key figures who punched holes in the Italian defence, and loosehead prop Sanelisiwe Charlie wasn’t far behind either.

Inside centre Qawe also made up for her first-half yellow card with a number of barnstorming runs up the middle as she burst through tackles, and it led to Hele barging over on the right to begin the comeback.

THE POWER 💪

Just look at this maul from the Springbok Women 🔥#WXV | #WXV2 | #RSAvITA pic.twitter.com/W1GeUAnjMY

— WXV (@WXVRugby) October 12, 2024

Then the try of the match came from wing Ayanda Malinga, who raced down the left after a stunning offload by replacement hooker Micke Günter created the space out wide.

Suddenly it was 19-17 to the Boks after 53 minutes, and they had regained the momentum to take charge of the encounter.

They had further opportunities to close out the result, but just came short a few times, with one driving maul seeing the ball ripped by the Italians.

An untimely yellow card to replacement scrumhalf Unam Tose for a high tackle in the 63rd minute halted SA’s charge to victory, though, as Italy slotted two penalties through No.12 Beatrice Rigoni to regain the lead at 23-19.

The Boks camped in the Italian half for most of the last 10 minutes and made their way into the 22, but the visitors’ gritty defence held on for a thrilling victory.

Points-Scorers

South Africa 19 – Tries: Babalwa Latsha, Aseza Hele, Ayanda Malinga. Conversions: Nadine Roos (2).

Italy 23 – Tries: Silvia Turani (2), Michela Sillari. Conversion: Sillari (1). Penalties: Beatrice Rigoni (2).