WXV: Springboks Women Player Ratings from Italy win: Jakkie Cilliers stars in green and gold

South Africa’s forward dominance and Jakkie Cilliers’ pinpoint boot secured a hard-fought 41-29 victory over Italy in the WXV Global Series, despite a spirited second-half comeback from the hosts.

The Springbok Women started ferociously, with hooker Anushka Groenewald powering over from two driving mauls either side of a Byrhandre Dolf try. Cilliers’ conversions gave the visitors a commanding 24-5 lead, though Italy struck first through Alyssa D’Inca. Vittoria Vecchini’s late first-half try reduced the deficit to 24-12 at the break.

Italy exploded out of the blocks in the second half. D’Inca grabbed her second try, before Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi crossed to bring Italy within one point at 27-26. Michela Sillari’s penalty then gave Italy a stunning 29-27 lead.

But South Africa’s set-piece proved decisive once more. Replacement Micke Gunter rumbled over from a maul, before Logan Welman sealed the win with a solo try late on. Cilliers finished with a perfect four conversions and a penalty.

South Africa face Spain on 4 October, while Italy meet the USA on 18 October.

TRIES: 4 (D'Inca 4', 51', Vecchini 39', Ostuni Minuzzi 57')

CONVERSIONS: 3 (Sillari 40', 52', 58')

PENALTIES: 1 (Sillari 64')

DROP GOALS: 0

YELLOW CARDS: 0

RED CARDS: 0

STARTING XV: 15. Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi 14. Aura Muzzo 13. Michela Sillari 12. Sara Mannini 11. Alyssa D'Inca 10. Emma Stevanin 9. Sofia Stefan 1. Silvia Turani 2. Vittoria Vecchini 3. Alessia Pilani 4. Alessandra Frangipani 5. Giordana Duca 6. Francesca Sgorbini 7. Alissa Ranuccini 8. Elisa Giordano

REPLACEMENTS: 16. Chiara Cheli 17. Giorgia Cuoghi 18. Gaia Dosi 19. Giulia Cavina 20. Beatrice Veronese 21. Alia Bitonci 22. Beatrice Rigoni 23. Francesca Granzotto

TRIES: 6 (Groenewald 9', 27', Dolf 13', Tshiremba 30', Gunter 67', Welman 80')

CONVERSIONS: 4 (Cilliers 10', 14', 68', 81')

PENALTIES: 1 (Cilliers 54')

DROP GOALS: 0

YELLOW CARDS: 1 (Ngxingolo 46')

RED CARDS: 0

STARTING XV: 15. Jakkie Cilliers 14. Alichia Arries 13. Maceala Samboya 12. Shiniqwa Lamprecht 11. Maria Tshiremba 10. Byrhandre Dolf 9. Unam Tose 1. Yonela Ngxingolo 2. Anushka Groenewald 3. Nombuyekezo Mdliki 4. Vainah Ubisi 5. Catha Jacobs 6. Sizophila Solontsi 7. Lerato Makua 8. Aseza Hele

REPLACEMENTS: 16. Micke Gunter 17. Sanelisiwe Charlie 18. Babalwa Latsha 19. Nomsa Mokwai 20. Logan Welman 21. Aphiwe Ngwevu 22. Felicia Jacobs 23. Libbie Janse van Rensburg

15. Jakkie Cilliers – 9/10 An outstanding, match-winning performance. Four conversions and a penalty, plus relentless control of the game's tempo from full-back. Her boot proved the difference in a chaotic second half.

14. Alichia Arries – 6/10 Solid but unspectacular. Made her tackles and offered herself in attack but struggled to contain Italy's width in the second-half comeback.

13. Maceala Samboya – 7/10 A constant threat with ball in hand. Her line break in the 71st minute nearly sealed the game earlier, and she consistently asked questions of Italy's defensive line.

12. Shiniqwa Lamprecht – 6/10 A decent shift in the midfield. Physical in defence and carried well but was replaced at 22' as South Africa shuffled their backline.

11. Maria Tshiremba – 8/10 Took her try brilliantly from a perfectly weighted kick, timing her run to perfection. A constant menace in the wide channels and her best performance of the tournament so far.

10. Byrhandre Dolf – 7/10 Scored from close range and managed the game well before being withdrawn at 22' in a tactical substitution. Made the most of her limited time on the pitch.

9. Unam Tose – 7/10 Her "spellbinding play" directly created Dolf's try. Sharp service and intelligent kicking kept South Africa in control before she was replaced at 62'.

1. Yonela Ngxingolo – 5/10 A mixed afternoon. Strong in the scrum but her yellow card at 46' for a dangerous tackle gave Italy a foothold in the game and shifted momentum.

2. Anushka Groenewald – 9/10 A monstrous performance from the hooker. Two tries from driving mauls, both from close range, as she proved unstoppable. Her set-piece work was the foundation of South Africa's victory.

3. Nombuyekezo Mdliki – 6/10 Solid at the scrum but replaced at 52' as South Africa looked to freshen up their front row. Carried hard in the tight exchanges.

4. Vainah Ubisi – 7/10 Excellent in the lineout, securing clean ball throughout. Physical in the loose and contributed to South Africa's dominant maul.

5. Catha Jacobs – 7/10 A workhorse performance. Tackled relentlessly and provided the grunt in the engine room that allowed South Africa's maul to function so effectively.

6. Sizophila Solontsi – 6/10 Quiet by her standards but effective at the breakdown. Won crucial turnovers that relieved pressure in the second half.

7. Lerato Makua – 6/10 Played out of position at flanker but adapted well. Replaced at 72' after a solid, if unspectacular, shift.

8. Aseza Hele – 7/10 Powerful carries from the base of the scrum and a constant presence in the loose. Her brief substitution and return highlighted her importance to the side.

16. Micke Gunter – 8/10 Made an immediate impact from the bench. Scored the crucial try from a maul at 67' that stemmed Italy's momentum and restored South Africa's lead.

17. Sanelisiwe Charlie – 6/10 Provided fresh legs in the front row and shored up the scrum in the closing stages.

18. Babalwa Latsha – 6/10 Solid contribution after coming on at 52'. Helped South Africa reassert their set-piece dominance.

19. Nomsa Mokwai – 5/10 Came on at 72' and had limited time to make an impact but held her own in the closing exchanges.

20. Logan Welman – 7/10 Sealed the win with a superb solo try at 80', catching Italy's tiring defence off guard. A fine cameo from the bench.

21. Aphiwe Ngwevu – N/A On at 72'. Insufficient time to fairly assess.

22. Felicia Jacobs – N/A On at 62'. Brought energy but had limited involvement.

23. Libbie Janse van Rensburg – 7/10 Her introduction at 22' changed the game's tempo. Provided the assist for Tshiremba's try and controlled the backline with composure beyond her years.