The Rugby Africa Women Sevens took place at the University of Ghana from November 9-10, 2024.
The Kenya women’s rugby 7s team, the Lionesses, finished second in the Africa Cup after losing 19-10 to South Africa in the final on Sunday November 10, 2024 in Accra, Ghana.
Both teams displayed impeccable dominance, winning all of their matches in the competition and South Africa not conceding any field goal until the finals.
Kenya’s Stella Wafula found a gap in the defense and sprinted across the line, becoming the first player to score against South Africa in the tournament, giving Kenya a 5-0 lead.
Ayanda Malinga’s try leveled the score at 5-5. The shorthanded South Africans held strong to finish the half tied despite Ayanda’s yellow card.
Sharon Auma gave Kenya the lead but shortly after the Springbok Women struck back with a try from Felicia Jacobs who scored under the post to give South Africa a narrow 12-10 lead.
Moments later, Kenya narrowly lost the ball on attack, and Felicia Jacobs was set up for the decisive try that saw South Africa win to get crowned the best in Africa.
“It’s been a tough final; we’ve been playing Kenya in the finals over the last few years, and I think it’s always going to be a physical battle,” said South Africa’s coach, Renfred Dazel.
Uganda won the third-place playoff match 17-5, defeating Madagascar.
South Africa, Kenya, and Uganda qualify to represent Africa at the World Rugby Challenger Series 2025.
