Rugby Africa Women’s Cup: South Africa’s Coach Koen Proud of his Team, Madagascar Gains Confidence After Victory

South Africa's Women's Team Coach Louis Koen

South African coach Louis Koen was justifiably proud of his team after their opening match at the 2024 Rugby Africa Women’s Cup on Saturday, May 4 in Antananarivo, Madagascar.

Playing in a strong, swirling wind, the Springboks ran out 55-0 winners against Cameroon, who put up a brave display and showed a lot of improvement compared to last year’s 87-0 drubbing.

"I’m proud of the girls’ effort today. They stuck to the game plan and executed what they wanted to execute. We stuck to what we wanted to do and built an innings.”

“Towards the end it opened up for us,” said Koen.

Coach Koen added words of caution, “It will get tougher for us as we go forward.”

"We lost two girls to injury today, but we’ll adapt and be ready for Wednesday,” he added.

Cameroon Coach Stephen Shikuku

Although his team had lost 0-55 to South Africa, Cameroon’s coach Stephen Shikuku found some satisfaction in the improvement from their 87-0 loss against South Africa last year.

“I think the lack of experience was against us, I am positive we will get better as the tournament progresses,” said Shikuku.

MADAGASCAR VS KENYA

Madagascar Coach Alain Randriamihaja

“This win was built on teamwork. We had some issues in the first half but added and changed some things at the break.

“A first match and a first win … We now have the confidence going forward for our next match on Wednesday against Cameroon,” said Randriamihaja.

Kenya Coach Paul Murunga

Kenya Women's rugby Coach Paul Murunga

“We will be back again”, said Kenya coach Paul Murunga following their loss after the second-half turnaround by Madagascar in their match on Saturday, won 29-22 by Madagascar after a very late try.

Murunga pointed to many errors, including three yellow cards, to his team, and rued missed opportunities in the match – especially as his team did not execute well off their good set pieces

Notwithstanding the disappointment of the loss, the Kenyan Coach believes they will come back, "We still have two games to play and will make sure that we’ll be in a better position at the end of the tournament.”

The second round of the 2024 Rugby Africa Women’s Cup, will commence at 13:00 (East African Time) on May 8, with South Africa playing against Kenya. Followed by a match between Madagascar and Cameroon at 15:00 (East African Time).

All matches will be streamed on the Rugby Africa Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/RugbyAfrique) and YouTube Page (https://www.youtube.com/c/RugbyAfrique).

Listen to the Interview Below:

South Africa Coach Louis Koen: https://we.tl/t-tjyHjtlrFa

Cameroon Coach Stephen Shikuku: https://we.tl/t-4h8MgUy4CB

Madagascar Coach Alain Randriamihaja: https://we.tl/t-EysfpL7pEf

Kenya Coach Paul Murunga: https://we.tl/t-zbCsVxs7hE

South Africa vs Cameroon

To View Highlights of Match: https://fb.watch/rToy_Xr5m8

To View Full Match (Begin at 16’00): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzhSuuaYCFg

Madagascar vs Kenya

To View Highlights of Match: https://fb.watch/rTmq2onwtf/

To View Full Match: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6umutP8j9r0