Six-two split for Bok Women against Kenya

The Springbok Women coaches have named an unchanged starting team from their Rugby Africa Women’s Cup opener for their round two clash against Kenya at Stade Makis in Antananarivo on Wednesday.

The only change from the team that beat Uganda by 62-7 is on the bench, where Nompumelelo Mathe will add impact as a loose forward, with wing Nomawethu Mabenge missing out as the coaches opted for a split of six forwards and two backs for this clash.

Mathe last featured for the Bok Women in last year’s tournament at the same venue, where she played in all three matches.

The vote of confidence in the side that scored 10 tries in their opening round victory will be a boost, with the extra player in the pack an indication that the team will not deviate from their forward-based game against Kenya, who opened their campaign with a good 28-5 win over Madagascar.

The Springbok Women squad, unlike in their opening match, have no uncapped players in their team and they should be better for it, given the nerves that would have impacted the eight players who ran out in the green and gold for the first time.

One of those, Patience Mokone, celebrated her test debut with two well-taken tries and according to the Bulls Daisies wing, she will be happy to “get onto the next job”.

“It was a great feeling and an emotional one to walk onto the field, sing the national anthem and know that I am representing my country, but also my family on the international stage,” said Mokone.

“I was a bit nervous due to the occasion, but once I got settled in, it became just another match.”

The Kenyan challenge will be a serious one, but the Bok Women will be prepared, according to Mokone: “This is our next job and we want to get it done.

"For me personally, I have to focus on my role in the team and make sure I get that done. It is not about me on Wednesday, it is about my contribution to the team. I have always played rugby that way, so nothing has changed.”

Although they have a healthy rivalry with Kenya, it will not distract from their focus.

“Yes, we are playing to win and it has become about the best team on the continent, but that is not dictating our play,” she said. “We have plans to execute and processes to follow on the field and we focus on that, not our opponents.”

Head-to-Head:

17/08/2019: SA won 39-0 (Brakpan)

12/08/2021: SA won 66-0 (Stellenbosch)

16/08/2021: SA won 29-22 (Stellenbosch)

24/05/2023: SA won 48-0 (Antananarivo)

16/09/2023: SA won 77-12 (Cape Town)

08/05/2024: SA won 63-5 (Antananarivo)

Match details – Springbok Women v Kenya:

Venue: Stade Makis, Antananarivo

Date: Wednesday, 11 June 2024

SA time: 12pm

Referee: Julie Randriarimanana (Madagascar)