South Africa and Uganda reach World Cup
By Eric Odanga
From Kampala
South Africa and Uganda are the latest qualifiers for Rugby World Cup Sevens 2009 in Dubai after reaching the final of the Africa region women’s qualifier held at the Kyadondo Rugby Club in Kampala over the weekend.
Seven nations competed for Africa’s two spots in the first ever RWC Sevens women’s competition with South Africa, Kenya, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Tunisia travelling to Kampala to join hosts Uganda and Uganda A, who stepped in after Madagascar and Ivory Coast withdrew in the week leading up to the tournament.
South Africa, who won the CAR Women’s Sevens title last year, lived up to their billing as favourites, conceding only two tries in the whole tournament – both against Kenya – to secure their passage to Dubai next March with a 26-5 defeat of the Kenyans in the semi-final.
The Uganda players shed tears of joy after they edged out Tunisia 7-0 in the other semi-final to guarantee their place at RWC Sevens 2009, avenging a 12-5 loss to the same opponents in the pool stages of the tournament.
Uganda’s tears were understandable given the size of their achievement, this being the first time in the country’s history that an national team has qualified for a World Cup competition, and also the release of emotions having been under pressure to succeed from their home supporters.
Great feeling for South Africa
The final between South Africa and Uganda was no formality even though both teams had qualified. Tackles came thick and fast as Uganda employed a physical approach with Fortunate Irankunda and captain Christine Kizito used as the impact players.
This, though, did not deter the skilful South Africans, who defended well. Yolanda Meiring opened the scores for South Africa in the sixth minute, but was sent to the sin-bin by Kenyan referee Godwin Karuga for a professional foul.
Uganda were unable to use this numerical advantage. Instead, it was South Africa who came back firing on all cylinders and Lorinda Brown outpaced the Ugandan backs to add the second try, Meiring converting for a 12-0 lead at half-time.
In the second half two quick tries from South African flyer Natasha Hofmeester killed the game. The last try was initiated by team captain Saloma Booysen, who committed her opponent before switching with Meiring.
“It feels great qualifying for the World Cup, we won all our games but I can’t say it was an easy tournament, Zambia and other countries also played well," said South Africa captain Booysen.
High standard of rugby
"We have been preparing for this tournament for one year and it’s nice winning it ... Uganda and South Africa need to go back to the drawing boards and work on a programme to succeed.”
South Africa coach Denver Wannies was impressed by the high standard of rugby and different styles: “It is a big improvement. The kind of rugby at the qualifiers is at par with what is happening everywhere.”
Kenya bounced back from the disappointment at missing out on qualifying to finish third with a narrow 15-14 defeat of Tunisia in the Plate final. Celestine Masinde scored three tries for Kenya, while Tunisia replied with a try each by Aqualef Ben Hessine and Dorsaf Mahbouli.
Coach Sammy Kemmey was understandably disappointed at missing a ticket to Dubai. “We worked very hard but some decisions went against us but that is the nature of the game. I consider Kenya to have qualified for the RWC Sevens in Dubai.”
Zambia, perhaps the most improved team of the tournament, beat a Zimbabwe side including two national cricket team members in Yvonne Rainsford and Precious Marange 38-0 in the Bowl final, while Uganda A beat Botswana 20-7 to claim the Shield.
Day two results:
Bowl semi-finals:
Uganda A 10 Zambia 26
Zimbabwe 17 Botswana 0
Cup semi-finals:
South Africa 26 Kenya 5
Uganda 7 Tunisia 0
Shield final: Botswana 7 Uganda A 20.
Bowl final: Zambia 38 Zimbabwe 0
Plate Final: Kenya 15 Tunisia 14
Main Cup final: South Africa 24 Uganda 0
Match statistics:
Bowl semi-finals:
Uganda A 10 Zambia 26 (HT 10-7)
Uganda A - Tries: Warry Nambirige, Stella Kyalikunda.
Zambia - Tries: Mary Mbewe (2), Carol Mpululuka. Conversion: Carol Mpululuka (3),
Zimbabwe 17 Botswana 0 (HT 10-0)
Zimbabwe - Tries: Charity Macucuti, Yvonne Rainsford, Getrude Buindi. Conversions: Yvonne Rainsford.
Cup semi-finals:
South Africa 26 Kenya 5 (HT 14-5)
South Africa - Tries: Nadine Bernard, Natasha Hofmeester (2), Nomathamsanqa Faleni. Conversion: Yolanda Meiring (3)
Kenya - Tries: Celestine Masinde.
Uganda 7 Tunisia 0 (HT 7-0)
Uganda - Tries: Christine Kizito. Conversion: Hellen Buteme.
Yellow Card: Brenda Kayiyi (Uganda)
Shield Final: Botswana 7 Uganda A 20 (HT 0-10)
Botswana - Tries: Kelebogile Bagwasi. Conversion: Pearl Mogatusi.
Uganda A - Tries: Sauda Adiru, Stella Kyalikunda, Alice Nakyonyi, Stella Bakole.
Bowl Final: Zambia 38 Zimbabwe 0 (HT 10-0)
Zambia - Tries: Mary Mbewe, Eukeria Chimanga, Carol Mpululuka, Sithembile Kasawala. Conversions: Carol Mpululuka (4)
Plate Final: Kenya 15 Tunisia 14 (HT 5-7)
Kenya - Tries: Celestine Masinde (3)
Tunisia - Tries: Dorsaf Mahbouli, Aqualef Ben Hessine. Conversions: Olfa Sabbagh (2)
Cup Final: South Africa 24 Uganda 0 (HT 12-0)
South Africa - Tries: Yolanda Meiring, Lorinda Brown, Natasha Hoofmeester (2). Conversions: Yolanda Meiring (2).
Yellow Card: Yolanda Meiring (South Africa)
Day one results:
Pool A: South Africa 43 Uganda A 0, Kenya 20 Zambia 19, South Africa 31 Zambia 0, Kenya 17 Uganda A 0, Uganda A 0 Zambia 33, South Africa 34 Kenya 5
Pool B: Uganda 30 Zimbabwe 0, Tunisia 45 Botswana 0, Uganda 48 Botswana 0, Tunisia 54 Zimbabwe 0, Zimbabwe 24 Botswana 0, Uganda 5 Tunisia 12
