The Wallaroos secured a hard-fought 33-26 victory over South Africa, setting up a showdown with Scotland for the WXV 2 title in Cape Town.
Under the guidance of coach Jo Yapp, the Wallaroos started strong, quickly establishing a 21-5 lead within the first 15 minutes. They had opportunities to increase their advantage before halftime, but a combination of errors and South Africa’s physical play kept the game competitive.
Tries from Maya Stewart and Desiree Miller seemed to put the match out of reach for the hosts, who mounted a late comeback with two tries, challenging for a draw in a nail-biting conclusion. In a crucial moment, Ash Marsters made a vital steal on the line, tying the record for the most caps by an Australian player.
This victory places Australia atop the WXV 2 standings, setting the stage for a decisive match against second-placed Scotland next Sunday.
Yapp reflected on the match, noting the intense atmosphere and South Africa’s relentless physicality. “They always pushed hard against us for the full 80 minutes,” she stated.
She acknowledged that disallowed tries due to grounding issues allowed South Africa to stay in the game but expressed pride in her team’s resilience and teamwork. “That comes from a group wanting to work hard for each other, so that side of it was really pleasing,” she added.