Jakkie Cilliers Stars As Bok Women Crush Madagascar 64-5 in Title Defence Opener
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Jakkie Cilliers Stars As Bok Women Crush Madagascar 64-5 in Title Defence Opener

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The Springbok Women scored 10 tries and showed glimpses of their growing repertoire of skills as they outplayed Madagascar 64-5 in their opening match of the 2026 Rugby Africa Women’s Cup at the RFUEA Ground in Nairobi, Kenya on Saturday, 23 May 2026.

Although Madagascar scored the first try of the match, the Bok Women then stepped up a gear and dotted down four times before half-time to lead 26-5 at the break.

Six more tries in the second half were a solid reflection of the dominance the Bok Women had on territory and possession, with their opponents living off scraps and counter-attacking crumbs.

The first try of the match, scored by wing Mialy Ravaoarinoro, came against the run of play. South Africa had started strongly and with intent, good attacking play by the backs and strong forward drives setting the tone as they forced early penalties.

An early kick to the corner and subsequent driving maul was stopped, and a knock-on in the backline resulted in a promising attack falling flat. A wicked bounce also stopped a charging Nomawethu Mabenge from scoring with no defender in sight. Instead, Madagascar scored from almost the only chance they had, with Ravaoarinoro breaking free from a counter-attack for the opening try.

The Bok Women were their own worst enemies at times, with some poor handling and knock-ons from forced passes leading to mistakes, but when they came good, it was in spectacular fashion.

Jakkie Cilliers scored South Africa’s first try when the ball was moved to the wing, where Mabenge kept defenders busy before finding support from Chuma Qawe and Cilliers, who added the conversion to make it 7-5 to South Africa.

Jakkie Cilliers contributed a try and seven conversions to earn Player of the Match honours on the opening day.
Jakkie Cilliers contributed a try and seven conversions to earn Player of the Match honours on the opening day. Photo: Rugby Afrique

Alichia Arries scored after a long spell of attacking play and a great break by Faith Tshauke, with the wing dotting down for her first Test try in the corner.

That momentum continued when Aphiwe Ngwevu, who ran hard all afternoon, broke the defence on yet another of those hard runs, and Qawe dotted down just before the break, running a good support line to Cilliers, who broke clear on an inside line and made the scoring pass.

Cilliers, who had a busy afternoon and was named Player of the Match afterwards, added two more conversions for a 26-5 lead at the break.

Soon after the restart, prop Nombuyekezo Mdliki crashed over from close range, and when the replacements were called upon, the tempo lifted again. The whole front row was replaced, meaning a first Test cap for prop Thandile Mazwi, and soon after replacement hooker Roseline Botes scored from a lineout maul.

A Madagascar player was shown a yellow card for repeatedly collapsing the South African driving mauls, and it was a matter of time before they paid the price, with Botes, the fines master, scoring her ninth Test try.

It then became a celebration of tries by the debutants. No. 8 Logan Welman opened with a long-range try, running 50m to score under the posts, and Cilliers converted to take the lead to a much healthier 43-5.

Mazwi crashed over for another debutant try after good work by the pack, and Cilliers celebrated the half-century with a well-taken conversion from wide out. Another opportunity or two went a begging, but this was down to over-eagerness by the Bok Women rather than a lack of effort.

As the clock ran out, Thami Yeko enjoyed the double celebration of a first cap and a first try, running onto a Mary Zulu kick, and Cilliers converted for a 57-5 lead. Zulu then scored her first Test try after good scrum play, the flyhalf stepping inside the cover defence to give Cilliers a conversion from straight in front that sealed the 64-5 win.

Rugby Africa Women’s Cup at the RFUEA Ground in Nairobi, Kenya on 23 May 2026

South Africa 64 (26) – 5 (5) Madagascar

Springbok Women Tries: Jakkie Cilliers, Alichia Arries, Aphiwe Ngwevu, Chuma Qawe, Nombuyekezo Mdliki, Roseline Botes, Logan Welman, Thandile Mazwi, Thami Yeko, Mary Zulu
Conversions: Cilliers (7)

Madagascar Try: Mialy Ravaoarinoro

Springbok Women Results and Fixtures at the 2026 Rugby Africa Women’s Cup at the RFUEA Ground in Nairobi, Kenya from 23 May to 31 May 2026 (All times SAST)

Sat 23 May, 13h00: South Africa 64-5 Madagascar
Wed 27 May, 13h00: South Africa v Uganda
Sun 31 May, 13h00 : South Africa v Kenya

Springbok Women Starting XV and Bench v Madagascar 

1. Xoliswa Khuzwayo
2. Anushka Groenewald
3. Nombuyekezo Mdliki
4. Nomsa Mokwai
5. Anathi Qolo (captain)
6. Faith Tshauke
7. Sinelitha Noxeke
8. Logan Welman
9. Anacadia Minnaar
10. Mary Zulu
11. Alichia Arries
12. Aphiwe Ngwevu
13. Jakkie Cilliers
14. Nomawethu Mabenge
15. Chuma Qawe

Replacements

16. Roseline Botes
17. Yonela Ngxingolo
18. Thandile Mazwi
19. Nobuhle Mjwara
20. Ntsako Mbombi
21. Insaaf Levy
22. Naima Hlatshwayo
23. Thami Yeko

Original Copy: SA Rugby Communications, with editing by gsport

Main Photo Caption: The Springbok Women opened their 2026 Rugby Africa Women’s Cup title defence with,10 Bok Women dotting down behind the line, including three debut tries, for a 64-5 victory over Madagascar at the RFUEA Ground in Nairobi, Kenya on Saturday, 23 May 2026. Photo: Gallo Images / SA Rugby

Photo 2 Caption: Jakkie Cilliers contributed a try and seven conversions to earn Player of the Match honours on the opening day. Photo: Rugby Afrique

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