The Test delivered classic clash of styles, with South Africa’s direct and abrasive power game up against Japan’s use of width, pace and skill. On the day, the Bok Women came up trumps, but they had their defence to thank for this victory, despite scoring five tries to four.
Under pressure for most of the game - a lot of it through their own doing - South Africa were brilliant in defence, making tackle after tackle to clinch a famous victory under their new coaching staff.
Japan were out of the blocks faster and set up camp in the SA half, not scared to give the ball air and play with width, but the host team’s defence held firm until the 10th minute, when Kotomi Taniguchi was driven over from a maul.
Ayasa Otsuka’s conversion was good and after dominating the opening exchanges, the Sakura deservedly led by 7-0, but the Bok Women hit back almost immediately when Aseza Hele crashed over from a series of pick-and-goes in their opponents’ 22.
Seven minutes later, Otsuka scored a great try from a grubber into the SA in-goal area to stretch Japan’s lead to 12-5 after South Africa paid the price for some ill-discipline.
Vainah Ubisi was brilliant on attack and defence for the Bok Women.
Chumisa Qawe then made it a two-point game again with almost a carbon copy of Hele’s try, with Japan unable to stop the big inside centre at close quarters.
Shortly before the break, South Africa took the lead for the first time when Sanelisiwe Charlie powered her way over for a superb try set up by a strong driving maul before the loosehead prop burst away to score.
Jakkie Cilliers was on song with the conversion and at 17-12 at half-time, the South Africans could breathe after they were put under pressure in their own half by Japan for large parts of the opening 40 minutes.
The Bok Women started the second half like they finished the first when Ayanda Malinga scored a great try after they showed patience on attack, keeping the ball in hand until a superb offload from Hele put the speedster away.
Cilliers’ conversion made it a 12-point game, but the Bok Women’s discipline started to falter and Japan’s Seina Saito scored two tries in quick succession, both after SA conceded penalties in their own half and the visitors set up mauls, with the Sakura No 8 finishing.
Ayanda Malinga goes over for her try.
One of the tries was converted and scores were tied 15 minutes after the break, when South Africa managed to find a bit of rhythm again.
Japan lost Otsuka to the sin bin for a dangerous tackle and the Bok Women introduced their own Bomb Squad which immediately led to a try by the hard-working Vainah Ubisi, who was unstoppable close to the line. Cilliers converted and the South Africans were back in the lead with 20 minutes to go.
But the Japanese were not done yet, exploiting mistakes by South Africa to set up camp in the Bok Women’s 22, forcing the host team to defend, which they did with composure, snuffing out a few attacks by the Sakura.
Japan’s 72nd minute celebration, when Manami Mine went over next to the uprights, was short-lived however after the try was ruled out by the TMO for obstruction earlier in the move, and South Africa could breathe again after being under pressure.
The Sakura refused to give up and kept on attacking, but the South Africans refused to stop tackling and were crowned deserved winners.
Scorers:
Springbok Women 31 (17) – Tries: Aseza Hele, Chumisa Qawe, Sanelisiwe Charlie, Ayanda Malinga, Vainah Ubisi. Conversions: Jakkie Cilliers (3).
Japan 24 (12) – Tries: Kotomi Taniguchi, Ayasa Otsuka, Seina Saito (2). Conversions: Otsuka, Misaki Matsumura.
