Tough lessons learned as Bok Women face defeat against USA in London

The Bok Women will have learnt a valuable lesson in protecting possession as they never got going because of soft moments on attack and defence despite playing some great rugby for large parts of the Test.

On the other hand, the USA used their opportunities and varied their play well, which saw them score six tries in an impressive victory.

The Women's Eagles led by 14-0 at the break, but the South Africans - who were disrupted by a late change that saw Danelle Lochner move up from the bench in place of Sinelitha Noxeke - only had themselves to blame for not bothering the scorers.

In fact, the Bok Women had the worst possible start to the Test. They fluffed the kick-off and USA flanker Georgie Perris-Redding snapped up the ball and went over for a converted try mere seconds into the match.

The South Africans fought back from the restart and actually set up camp in their opponents' half for the first quarter, but mistakes in the red zone cost them dearly.

After the first water-break, the USA gradually worked their way back upfield, and when they worked the ball through the hands at speed, Kathryn Treder (hooker) went over for their second try, also converted by Gabby Cantorna to hand them a 14-0 lead with nine minutes left in the break.

The Bok Women had another opportunity to put points on the board, but yet again they made unforced errors which allowed the USA breathing space at the first half came to an end.

Two minutes into the second half, Perris-Redding scored her second try after the South Africans were caught napping and didn't patrol the ruck, allowing the USA flanker to pick up the ball and race away for the points.

Down by 21-0, the Bok Women finally got onto the scoreboard when Lindelwa Gwala mauled over from an attacking lineout, after they had previously wasted a few similar opportunities.

The USA's 21-point lead was restored three minutes later though when Emily Henrich dotted down after the bounce of the ball eluded Jakkie Cilliers in the in-goal area.

With just over 20 minutes to go, Lotte Clapp found space on the left and rounded off from a superb cross kick to increase the USA's lead to 33-5.

The Bok Women finally finished a good attacking move with Byrhandre Dolf going over after they spread the ball wide, with Mary Zulu adding the extras, but a few minutes later, Perris-Redding was driven over for her hat-trick from a lineout maul for the USA's sixth try.

The last say belonged to Aseza Hele though, as she stormed away from the base of another strong scrum to score in the corner.

Scorers

Springbok Women 17 (0) - Tries: Lindelwa Gwala, Byrhandre Dolf, Aseza Hele. Conversion: Mary Zulu.

USA Women 38 (14) - Tries: Georgie Perris-Redding (3), Kathryn Treder, Emily Henrich, Lotte Clapp. Conversions: Gabby Cantorna (4).

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