An exceptionally strong Western Province defence thwarted the Border women’s rugby team as they tumbled to their first interprovincial loss since 2013, with a 7-5 defeat at Buffalo City Stadium on Saturday.
The three-times defending champions had last lost a match in the group stages three years ago and it was almost poetic that the team that broke their impressive winning streak was the one which dealt them their last defeat.
“Despite the loss, this was a good lesson to learn for the girls. It was my first loss with them as a coach and their first loss since 2013, so it is good for them to learn that not everything can go their way and sometimes they will have a defeat like this,” said Border coach Malibongwe Kradu. “It was, however, a disappointing result because we were on top for the whole match and we should have won.”
The loss for Border is not too much of a train-smash as they still top the interprovincial log on 11 points, ahead of the Blue Bulls by one point, WP by two and KwaZulu-Natal by three. However, their next match is a big one against the Bulls and it will be very important for them not to lose as that will then put a lot of pressure on the players.
“We have a number of tough games coming up and we are now under a bit of pressure,” Kradu said.
“But I think we can still do very well and secure a home final.”
The match was a very scrappy affair throughout, with plenty of knock-ons.
However, the unyielding WP defence was a joy to behold as over the course of the whole match, despite being under massive pressure, they held firm to only allow Border in with one try.
Massive hits, driving Border back, ripping the ball from their grasp and stealing at the breakdown were trademarks of the amazing defensive performance.
The first half saw Border take the lead early in the match after a good start was rewarded, as they took a number of tap-and-goes from penalties at the break down to rumble into WP area before swinging the ball wide for fullback Eloise Webb to go over in the corner.
Flyhalf Zintle Mpupa missed the conversion and Border were 5-0 up after eight minutes.
Border then dominated most of the rest of the half but WP did grow into the match and during their best phase in the game, took a quick tap penalty in Border’s 22m, with lock Celeste Adonis crashing over in the right-hand corner.
Flyhalf Kirsten Conrad then slotted the tricky conversion attempt to give them the lead, with six minutes to the half-time break.
The second half was then just one- way traffic, as Border attacked relentlessly and WP repelled them continuously.
WP did not manage to get into Border’s 22m in the second half, while Border spent more than 20 minutes camped in the Province half, but to no avail, as the final whistle went with the WP players celebrating wildly as if they had won the competition.
“Firstly we isolated each other, we didn’t support each other and that was a major factor in the defeat,” said Kradu. “WP did their homework, they read our game-plan and spoilt everything we did, so credit to them.
“We also made so many mistakes and in the end we only have ourselves to blame and we need to pick ourselves up for the next match.”
Unyielding WP defence ends Border victory run
The three-times defending champions had last lost a match in the group stages three years ago and it was almost poetic that the team that broke their impressive winning streak was the one which dealt them their last defeat.
“Despite the loss, this was a good lesson to learn for the girls. It was my first loss with them as a coach and their first loss since 2013, so it is good for them to learn that not everything can go their way and sometimes they will have a defeat like this,” said Border coach Malibongwe Kradu. “It was, however, a disappointing result because we were on top for the whole match and we should have won.”
The loss for Border is not too much of a train-smash as they still top the interprovincial log on 11 points, ahead of the Blue Bulls by one point, WP by two and KwaZulu-Natal by three. However, their next match is a big one against the Bulls and it will be very important for them not to lose as that will then put a lot of pressure on the players.
“We have a number of tough games coming up and we are now under a bit of pressure,” Kradu said.
“But I think we can still do very well and secure a home final.”
The match was a very scrappy affair throughout, with plenty of knock-ons.
However, the unyielding WP defence was a joy to behold as over the course of the whole match, despite being under massive pressure, they held firm to only allow Border in with one try.
Massive hits, driving Border back, ripping the ball from their grasp and stealing at the breakdown were trademarks of the amazing defensive performance.
The first half saw Border take the lead early in the match after a good start was rewarded, as they took a number of tap-and-goes from penalties at the break down to rumble into WP area before swinging the ball wide for fullback Eloise Webb to go over in the corner.
Flyhalf Zintle Mpupa missed the conversion and Border were 5-0 up after eight minutes.
Border then dominated most of the rest of the half but WP did grow into the match and during their best phase in the game, took a quick tap penalty in Border’s 22m, with lock Celeste Adonis crashing over in the right-hand corner.
Flyhalf Kirsten Conrad then slotted the tricky conversion attempt to give them the lead, with six minutes to the half-time break.
The second half was then just one- way traffic, as Border attacked relentlessly and WP repelled them continuously.
WP did not manage to get into Border’s 22m in the second half, while Border spent more than 20 minutes camped in the Province half, but to no avail, as the final whistle went with the WP players celebrating wildly as if they had won the competition.
“Firstly we isolated each other, we didn’t support each other and that was a major factor in the defeat,” said Kradu. “WP did their homework, they read our game-plan and spoilt everything we did, so credit to them.
“We also made so many mistakes and in the end we only have ourselves to blame and we need to pick ourselves up for the next match.”
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos