Canada wins again but face tougher task in downing Springboks in women's rugby test

After thumping South Africa 50-20 last week in Pretoria, a revamped Canadian lineup had a tougher time getting the job done before pulling away for a 33-5 win over the 12th-ranked Springboks in a women's rugby international Saturday in Gqeberha.

South Africa trailed 14-5 before the second-ranked Canadians, frustrated by handling errors and penalties, padded the scoreline with tries by Carissa Norsten, stand-in captain Tyson Beukeboom, and Krissy Scurfield.

The win improved Canada's record against South Africa to 6-0-0. The Canadians had scored 50 points or more in every meeting except the inaugural encounter in 2009, which they won 35-17.

Canada captain Sophie de Goede, returning to action after a 13-month injury absence, came off the bench with 20 minutes remaining.

The 26-year-old from Victoria last played in May 2024, in Canada's 22-19 win over World Cup champion New Zealand in the Pacific Four Series finale. De Goede tore her anterior cruciate ligament on June 21, 2024, in a non-contact scrimmage against the U.S. on the last day of a Canada sevens camp in Chula Vista, Calif.

Norsten, the 2024 HSBC SVNS Rookie of the Year, was named player of the match in her 15s debut starting on the wing.

Brittany Kassil and Gillian Boag also scored tries for Canada, which led 14-0 after a scrappy first half played in the early-afternoon sunshine at Nelson Mandela Stadium. Julia Schell and Maddy Grant each kicked two conversions.

Ayanda Malinga scored the lone South African try.

The Canada victory may have come at a cost. Prop Rori Wood was taken off the field on a cart in the 30th minute after suffering an apparent leg injury. That meant a first cap for Taylor McKnight off the bench.

Lock Laetitia Royer, one of three Canadians