GOLD COAST – The Springbok Women's Sevens team on Friday went down to top-ranked Canada and New Zealand on the opening day of the Rugby Sevens event at the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia.
The South Africans opened their campaign against Canada, who won bronze at the 2016 Olympic Games, and struggled to cope with the intensity. The Canadians raced away to a 24-0 lead at the break.
The Women Boks played much better in the second half of the match, conceding only once to lose 29-0.
Against current HSBC World Rugby Women's Sevens Series champions, New Zealand, it was more of the same.
South Africa battled to get their hands on the ball and deliver sustained attacks, while New Zealand managed to break the defensive line much easier. The Kiwis won 41-0 after leading 22-0 at the break.
South Africa face Kenya in their final pool match on Saturday. They met their fellow Africans twice in Hong Kong last weekend during the World Series qualifiers, with both sides winning one game each, which means that Saturday’s encounter should again be a tight affair (start 4h27, SA time).