The game kicked off with the Black Ferns quickly stamping their authority. Elinor Plum-King, playing as flanker, ignited the scoring with a try from a quick-tap penalty. The Springbok Women, hampered by a challenging wind, failed to make significant headway out of their half and soon conceded another try to Black Ferns' fullback Braxton Sorensen-McGee, who dashed through to widen the gap.
Despite the early setback, the Springbok Women found their footing momentarily. From a lineout maul, hooker Lindelwa Gwala powered over the line for a try. This effort was followed by a dynamic play from centre Aphiwe Ngwevu, who bulldozed her way to the try line, bringing the score to a narrow 12-10. Ngwevu's physical prowess was on full display, underscoring her role as a key player for her team.
"Aphiwe Ngwevu’s strength is top notch." - SuperSport Rugby
However, the Black Ferns shifted gears just before the break, with Chryss Viliko and Sorensen-McGee each crossing the whitewash from quick taps, pushing the lead to 24-10 as the teams headed into halftime.
"Braxton Sorensen-McGee gets her brace. The Black Ferns are on the charge." - SuperSport Rugby
Early in the second half, Vainah Ubisi answered for the Springbok Women with a try from a maul, but this was quickly countered by Maia Joseph, who sniped through the defense for another Black Ferns try. As the game progressed, gaps widened in the Springbok defense, allowing Plum-King and later Amarante Sititi to score, effectively sealing the match despite a late surge from the hosts, including Ubisi's second try.
Scorers for the Springbok Women:
- 1. Lindelwa Gwala - Tries: 1
- 12. Aphiwe Ngwevu - Tries: 1
- 4. Vainah Ubisi - Tries: 2
Scorers for the Black Ferns:
- 6. Elinor Plum-King - Tries: 2
- 15. Braxton Sorensen-McGee - Tries: 2, Conversions: 4
- 3. Chryss Viliko - Tries: 1
- 9. Maia Joseph - Tries: 1
- 20. Amarante Sititi - Tries: 1
- 19. Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu - Tries: 1
- 10. Hannah King - Conversions: 1
The Black Ferns' strategy of utilizing quick-tap penalties paid dividends, as they consistently caught the Springbok Women off guard, translating into critical points. The match ended with the Black Ferns firmly asserting their dominance, a testament to their strategic execution and superior skill level on the day.
