South Africa outmuscle Kenya to retain Rugby Africa Women’s Cup title
Reading Time: 3min | Sun. 31.05.26. | 19:21
The loss denied Kenya a dream finish to an impressive campaign that had seen them top the standings heading into the decisive fixture
South Africa's Springbok Women successfully defended their Rugby Africa Women's Cup crown after defeating hosts, Kenya Lionesses, 35-20 in a thrilling and hard-fought encounter at the RFUEA Grounds on Sunday, 31 May.
The victory handed South Africa a sixth continental title.
It denied Kenya a dream finish to an impressive campaign that had seen them top the standings heading into the decisive fixture.
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The Lionesses entered the match full of confidence after an emphatic run in the tournament.
Simon Odongo's charges had amassed 100 points in their opening two matches, beating Uganda Lady Cranes 43-10 before dismantling Madagascar 57-0.
With home support behind them, Kenya looked poised to challenge the defending champions.
The hosts started brightly, taking the game to the visitors from the opening whistle.
Kenya dominated the early exchanges and spent considerable time in South Africa's half, but handling errors and turnovers prevented them from capitalizing on promising attacking opportunities.
South Africa eventually punished Kenya's missed chances, with Sinelithia Noxeke crossing over for the opening try in the 12th minute before Chuma Qawe added the conversion to take a 7-0 lead.
Despite conceding first, the Lionesses remained composed and continued to pressure the South African defence.
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Their persistence paid off in the 27th minute when Janet Okello sparked an attack.
After being tackled, she cleverly kicked ahead, allowing Faith Livoi to win the chase and touch down for Kenya's first try.
Sinaida Mokaya was unable to convert, leaving the score at 7-5.
Moments later, Kenya edged ahead when South Africa were penalised.
Mokaya stepped up and successfully slotted the penalty to give the Lionesses an 8-7 advantage.
The hosts continued to ask questions but were unable to slice through the South African defence.
Solid defensive work ensured they carried their slender one-point lead into halftime.
South Africa emerged from the interval with renewed intensity and quickly swung momentum in their favour.
Less than five minutes into the second half, the visitors reclaimed the lead when their winger powered past Stellah Wafula to score.
Kenya's challenges were compounded when Livoi suffered an elbow injury while attempting to stop another South African attack.
Yvette Okech was introduced as a replacement, while Knight Otuoma and Naomi Amuguni were among the fresh legs brought on as the Lionesses sought a response.
The defending champions took full advantage of their growing dominance in possession, adding two more tries in quick succession to stretch their lead.
Although both conversion attempts missed the target, South Africa had established a significant cushion.
Kenya refused to surrender and fought their way back into the contest.
After sustained pressure inside the South African 22, the Lionesses were rewarded with a try from substitute Otuoma.
Mokaya added the extras to reduce the deficit.
The hosts struck again shortly afterwards. Following a brief stoppage for an injured South African player, the ball was worked wide to Mokaya, who crossed over on the left wing.
However, she was unable to convert her own try, leaving Kenya chasing the game.
With the match hanging in the balance, South Africa's experience proved decisive.
Two successful penalty kicks from Jakkie Cilliers widened the gap and ultimately sealed a 35-20 victory for the visitors.
South Africa's tries came through Alichia Arries, Naima Hlatshwayo, Logan Welman, Jakkie Cilliers and Ntsako Mbombi, while Cilliers added two conversions and two penalties.
For Kenya, Livoi, Otuoma, and Mokaya crossed the whitewash, with Mokaya contributing a conversion and a penalty.
Despite the defeat, Kenya's runner-up finish secures qualification to World Rugby's WXV competition alongside South Africa.
The global tournament serves as a key pathway towards Women's Rugby World Cup qualification, offering nations valuable international competition against teams from other regions.
The Lionesses will now shift their focus to the WXV tournament, where they will have another opportunity to test themselves against some of the world's leading rugby nations.