Springbok Women seal series win over Spain, a great omen for upcoming World Cup

Springbok Women won the second and final Test over Spain in Potchefstroom 37-14 on Friday, less than a week after their comfortable victory at Ellis Park last Saturday.

The clean sweep over Spain in the Winter Women's Series and five wins in their last six matches for the year was just reward to the Springbok Women and showed that the processes designed to prepare them for the Rugby World Cup in October is bearing fruit.

Three consecutive wins over Japan and Spain (twice) also resulted in the South Africans catching up with those two on the world ranking.

The Springbok Women scored 23 unanswered points in the second half to beat Spain 37-14 after trailing 14-10 at the break.

The match, played in front of a lively crowd on a blustery and cold Fanie du Toit Stadium, had the Potchefstroom rugby community coming out in good numbers for a first-ever test match for the Springbok Women at this venue.  

The early South African tactics were clear - they had the driving maul in mind. Three early penalties, mainly from Spain not rolling away when making the tackle, saw kicks to the corner.

The first kick was overcooked by Zenay Jordaan, the second was recycled to the backs early in the drive, but from the third, Roseline Botes scored a second try in as many test matches against Spain in a beautifully executed maul 11 minutes in.

The early pressure all belonged to South Africa despite playing into a stiff breeze. Their backs got moving early, with both wingers, Simamkele Namba and Nomawethu Mabenge getting an opportunity to stretch their legs.

The Spanish clearly decided on their weapons of attack as well with the line-out maul top of their list too.

They also opted for that and after a third penalty conceded by SA in their red zone, a