The Springbok Women’s Sevens fell inches short of claiming their first 2022 Sevens World Cup win in a two-point Challenge Cup quarter-final loss to Japan in Cape Town on Saturday morning.
Despite going into the break 12-7 ahead and dominating much of the contest, the Imbokodo conceded a try to Japan early in the second half and could not get across the line for the winner.
“It was very disappointing to get a second loss in our own country,” said try-scorer Nadine Roos post-match.
“We really looked to win this game but we made some unfortunate errors. We didn’t keep the ball when we had to and we didn’t stick to our processes the whole time, and that’s the result you get when that happens.
“You get quite tense when you see time running out on the clock but you try to stay calm and composed. Sometimes the pressure gets to you and, at the end of the day, I think that’s what happened to us.”
HIGHLIGHTS: Sevens World Cup (day one)
It all started so promisingly for the Springbok Women’s Sevens, as Zintle Mphupa crafted a try with a clever grubber behind the defence which was finished by Roos.
Japan hit back through Chiharu Nakamura, but the Imbokodo took the lead just before the break, again exploiting the space behind the defence with a well-placed kick, with captain Sizo Solontsi finishing off.
However, Japan were able to put Wakaba Hara into space early in the second half and she sprinted away for what would be the winning try.
The Springbok Women created chance after chance in the remainder of the second half, but could not find a way through the defence and suffered their second defeat of the World Cup.
The Imbokodo will next be in action in a 13th-16th place playoff against Colombia at 3:27pm on Saturday.
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
