Rugby Africa Women's Cup: Poor Kenya Lionesses fail to hunt against South Africa Springboks

Kenya Lionesses scrum half Winnie Awino (left) in action against South Africa. [KRU]

Kenya Lionesses lost their second game at the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup after going down 63-5 to defending champions South Africa at the Stade Makis on Wednesday.

South Africa asserted dominance early, with Lusanda Dumke notching the first of her two tries just five minutes into the game.

Sikholiwe Mdletshe extended the lead to 10-0 with an unconverted try twelve minutes later. Jakkie Cilliers further bolstered South Africa’s advantage with a try, making it 15-0, before Dumke and Cilliers each scored another try, with Cilliers successfully converting to push the score to 27-0.

Despite Kenya’s resilience and attempts to breach the Bok Women’s defense, it was Rose Otieno who managed to break through and score Kenya’s sole try in the 36th minute.

Cilliers then converted Vainah Ubisi’s try, granting the defending champions a comfortable 34-5 lead at halftime.

In the second half, Nomawethu Mabenge added to South Africa’s tally before Cilliers completed a hat-trick, extending the lead to 46-5 within the first ten minutes.

Lindelwa Gwala contributed with two tries, one of which was converted by Cilliers from a difficult angle. Mabenge sealed the victory with her second try in the final minute.

Next in line for the Lionesses is a showdown against Cameroon on Sunday.

South Africa remains on course to defend their African title and book their tickets to the 2025 Rugby World Cup in England.