The Wallaroos secured a hard-fought 33-26 victory over South Africa, positioning themselves to compete against Scotland for the WXV 2 title in Cape Town. Jo Yapp’s team started strong, quickly building a 21-5 advantage within the first 15 minutes.
Despite having opportunities to extend their lead before halftime, mistakes and a resilient South African team kept the game competitive. Tries from Maya Stewart and Desiree Miller seemed to be putting the match out of reach, but South Africa mounted a late rally.
Two late tries saw South Africa pushing for a draw in a dramatic finish. However, Ash Marsters emerged as the game’s hero, executing a critical steal on their own line and tying the record for the most caps by an Australian player.
This win places Australia at the top of the WXV 2 standings, setting up a decisive encounter with second-place Scotland next Sunday to determine the champion.
The match began in a whirlwind, with the Wallaroos maintaining their momentum from the previous game against Wales. Coach Jo Yapp described the atmosphere as incredible, noting the tough challenge presented by a physically strong Springbok side that played hard throughout the match.
Yapp reflected on the first half, acknowledging missed opportunities and how disallowed tries kept South Africa in the contest. She expressed pride in her team’s determination to secure the win, emphasizing the camaraderie and work ethic that drove their performance.