South Africa make it three wins in a row

 

Mandisa Williams led South Africa by example again - Photo: Scottish Rugby/PA Images

South Africa gave another indication that any side underestimating them at Women's Rugby World Cup 2010 will do so at their peril by beating Scotland 27-8 in the first of two tests over consecutive weekends at Lasswade in Edinburgh.

The win is the third in a row for South Africa after they picked up their first ever test victories away from home against Kazakhstan in Dubai in April and has earned them praise from SARU President Oregan Hoskins.

"Our women have made rapid strides in the last 12 months under coach Denver Wannies and the leadership of Mandisa Williams and do not have the benefit of regular competition such as Scotland have," Hoskins said.

"This was their third successive test victory and although they will not be among the favourites when we get to the World Cup later this year, they are an underdog that has discovered its bite."

Nicola Halfpenny had kicked Scotland into a first minute lead, but it was South Africa who went in with a slender 8-3 half-time lead after number 8 Namhla Siyolo scored a try and full back Yolanda Meiring kicked a penalty.

Too many mistakes 

South Africa, though, upped the pace in the second half and were rewarded within minutes when captain Williams - who once again led from the front - spotted a gap and touched down her side's second try.

The loss of flanker Lamla Momoti to the sin-bin saw Lucy Millard cross for the home side just before the hour mark, but South Africa made certain of victory with Lorinda Brown and Zenay Jordaan touching down to seal the victory.

"We made too many errors in the first half and could not really get going. We have been working very hard on our fitness and conditioning during the recent training camps and that showed during the second half," said Wannies.

His Scotland counterpart Gary Parker admitted that "South Africa looked more cohesive. We defended well in spells but made too many mistakes."

Scotland Women's coach conceded his team beaten by a better side. "South Africa looked more cohesive. We defended well in spells but made too many mistakes."