Wins for USA and Canada in Spain

Canada were totally dominant against South Africa – winning 66-7.

South Africa were forced to play with 14 for the majority of the match following a red card to Catha Jacobs for a high tackle in the sixth minute. while injuries also robbed them of Danelle Lochner after half an hour, and powerful backrow Aseza Hele at the break.

Canada scored five unanswered tries in the first half, with captain Sophie de Goede converting all of them to take a 35-0 lead.. DaLeaka Menin opened scoring in the ninth minute of play, grabbing a loose ball at the try line.

Sabrina Poulin made a significant impact throughout the match, scoring her first try less than two minutes later, finding space to run through South Africa’s defence.

The third try of the game came from Sarah-Maude Lachance while Paige Farries had the next. With the first half coming to a close, Fancy Bermudez grabbed another on her debut.

The second half opened with another try from Poulin and two more from Julia Schell and Marie-Pier Fauteux.

South Africa’s only points of the game came in the 64th minute, a try from Nomawethu Mabenge and a conversion from Libbie Janse van Rensburg.

Bermudez responded five minutes later with her second of the game, catching an offload and weaving her way through South Africa’s defence to place the ball between the posts.  Canada notched one last try before the final whistle, with Bermudez passing to Renee Gonzalez to make the final score 66-7.

South Africa’s interim head coach Louis Koen said the result was a reality check.

“We were up against it from the start with the loss of Catha (Jacobs) to a red card and then 15 minutes later, the injury to Danelle Lochner,” said Koen.

“They were our lineout callers and we had to adapt against a very capable Canadian pack. They were also game wise and moved the ball side to side to use their numerical advantage and that worked for them.

“We did defend with real honour for long spells in the match – I can recall at least five times where we kept them away from our line with a very resilient defence and a refusal to lie down and give them the points. I am really proud of that.”

Canada will face the United States in the first game of the 2023 Pacific Four Series on Saturday April 1 in Madrid while South Africa play Spain in a friendly

Meanwhile the USA beat Spain 20-14.

The Eagles started strongly with early points from Hope Rogers, who touched the ball over the line within the first six minutes.

Spain hit back with a penalty from Claudia Pena before the USA slotted one of their own from Gabby Cantorna.

Spain took another penalty kick with three minutes left of the first half with Pena successful again.

Scrappy play continued from both sides, with some fumbling of the ball and several turnovers.

The Eagles began their second half play on a positive note. Bulou Mataitoga evaded the Spanish defence to carry the ball before offloading to Eti Haungatau, who pushed her defender over the try line in the corner for USA after just a few minutes.

Mataitoga was a threat on the outside all game, going hard into contact and creating opportunities in attack.

Spain had chances to score a try but had to settle for another penalty.

Following a lost line out on the USA try line, Spain then went to the scrum to score their first try of the match through Carmen Castellucci, taking a 14-13 lead.

Some kick tennis then ended in a lineout for the Eagles and a textbook driving maul gave space to Rogers to touch the ball down under the posts. Her second try of the day with Gabby Cantorna’s conversion put the Eagles back in the lead.

USA Head Coach Rich Ashfield said: “Obviously we’re happy to get the win and also very happy to have handed out eight new caps to players who looked comfortable on the international stage. We set out to win the gainline and be physical, and I think we did that overall."