Brave Kenya Lionesses fall to S.A in Africa Cup

The Kenya Lionesses technical bench expressed satisfaction with the team’s spirited performance despite a narrow 19-12 loss to World Cup-bound South Africa at the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup on Wednesday at Stade Makis in Antananarivo, Madagascar.

In the day’s other fixture, Uganda stunned hosts Madagascar 24-20 on their return to the top-tier 15-a-side women’s rugby tournament after a six-year absence.

The ongoing tournament serves as the qualifier for the global WXV competitions. The African champions will book a spot in WXV2, the second tier of the global women’s rugby series, while the runners-up will head to WXV3.

Kenya remain in contention for a global ticket, but must overcome regional rivals Uganda in a decisive clash on June 15. The winner of that match will seal one of the two continental slots.

Against the formidable Springbok Women—three-time African champions—the Lionesses trailed 19-0 for much of the game after conceding tries to Aphiwe Ngwevu, Lerato Makua, and Nobuhle Mjwara, with two conversions slotted in by Mary Zulu.

Despite repeated attacking efforts, Kenya struggled to break through until a late surge saw Freshia Oduor and Noleen Khaleyi cross the try line, with Sinaida Mokaya converting one to close the gap to seven points.

Lionesses 15s forwards and assistant coach, Dennis Mwanja, admitted that the team could have done better but commended their resolve and fight.

“We started the game slow, conceding easy tries but we picked up later. We could have had a better experience. We could have had a better outcome,” said Mwanja, who also serves as head coach of the Kenya Lionesses Sevens team.

“This is our first 15s outing, so we just made a makeshift side and only trained for a month. Had we had enough time to prepare, then it would have been a very different outcome. So we look forward to a good opportunity to prepare in the future,” he added.

Mwanja praised the players’ spirit, highlighting the challenges they faced in preparation.

“Gauging the preparations the team had, the girls gave a good account of themselves,” he said.

“So we cannot blame them but we're happy with how they've played. We played well, we started late. Good game, good play. Proud of the Lionesses always. Always pushing the limits, always raising the bar, always fighting, always punching above their weight," he added.

“I call them modern-day gladiators. They are a very determined lot. So I'm proud of them for how they've played. Just more games would have helped us. But with what we had, we gave a good account.”

It was a marked improvement for Kenya, who had previously suffered heavy losses to South Africa, including 39-0 (2019), 66-0 and 29-22 (2021), 48-0 and 77-12 (2023), and 63-5 earlier this year.

South Africa, despite having Nombuyekezo Mdliki and Simamkele Namba sent to the sin bin, top the four-team standings with nine points.

Kenya follow with six, Uganda have four, and Madagascar sit last with one point. The team that finishes bottom will be relegated to Division 1.

Uganda earned promotion to the top-tier after winning Division 1 in April by defeating Tunisia, Zimbabwe, and hosts Côte d’Ivoire.