Springbok Women Make History as Pirates Go Top in Action-Packed Weekend

The Springbok Women made history, the All Blacks flexed their muscles in Pretoria, and Orlando Pirates climbed to the top of the early Betway Premiership standings in a busy weekend of South African sport.

The Springbok Women secured a historic 2–0 series sweep over Fiji with a hard-fought 29–22 victory in Lautoka on Saturday.

Debutant wing Maria Tshiremba was the star of the show, scoring a hat-trick as South Africa overcame a half-time deficit and twice surrendered the lead before eventually sealing the inaugural Ubuntu-Bula Trophy.

In Pretoria, the New Zealand All Blacks sent a warning ahead of their opening Test against the Springboks with a dominant 50–19 victory over the Vodacom Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday night.

The visitors scored eight tries to complete a clean sweep of South Africa’s leading United Rugby Championship franchises on their Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour. The result gives New Zealand plenty of confidence heading into next weekend’s Test against the Springboks at Ellis Park.

Springbok Women Make History as Pirates Go Top in Action-Packed Weekend (Images: Springboks, All Blacks, Pirates)

In the Betway Premiership, Orlando Pirates returned to winning ways on Sunday with a convincing 3–0 victory over Chippa United, moving the defending champions to the top of the early standings.

Second-half goals from Ghampani Lungu, Lebone Seema and substitute Daniel Msendami secured the Buccaneers’ three points.

A day earlier, Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns played out a 1–1 draw at FNB Stadium. Langelihle Phili put Amakhosi ahead in the second half, but Cassius Mailula came off the bench to equalise shortly afterwards.

After three matches, Pirates lead the Betway Premiership standings, with Chiefs close behind following their draw with Sundowns.