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.
Under the leadership of coach Jo Yapp, the Wallaroos started strong, racing to a 21-5 lead within the first 15 minutes. Although they had opportunities to expand their lead before halftime, errors and South Africa’s aggressive play kept the match competitive.
Tries from Maya Stewart and Desiree Miller appeared to have given the Wallaroos a commanding lead, but South Africa staged a late comeback, scoring two tries that brought them close to leveling the match. In a dramatic conclusion, Ash Marsters emerged as the standout player, making a vital interception on the line and tying the record for the most caps by an Australian player.
With this win, Australia sits at the top of the WXV 2 standings, set to face second-place Scotland next Sunday in a decisive final round.
The match began energetically, reflecting the momentum the Wallaroos had built during their previous game against Wales. “It was an incredible atmosphere… we always knew the Springboks would come out really hard at us. They’re a very physical side and they definitely didn’t disappoint,” said coach Jo Yapp after the match.
Yapp expressed pride in her team’s resilience, noting that despite missed scoring opportunities in the first half, the team fought hard to secure the win. “That side of it was really pleasing,” she remarked, highlighting the teamwork that contributed to their success.