A commanding first-half display unravelled spectacularly as the SA Women's 'A' side conceded 24 unanswered second-half points to lose 29-19 to Brazil's Test side at Estádio Nicolau Alayon in Sao Paulo on Sunday.
The South Africans, fielding a notably young squad, led 19-5 at the break and appeared on course to avenge Monday's 34-12 defeat to the same opposition. Instead, Brazil flanker Monalisa Freitas scored a hat-trick after the interval as the Yaras shifted to a forward-dominant maul game that South Africa's defence could not contain.
The first half told a very different story. Brazil opened the scoring through wing Geovanna Pereira, who finished in the corner after No 8 Milena Mariano broke wide from a scrum. SA inside centre Lilitha Vakalisa responded with a sharp lineout try, converted by Mary Zulu, before wing Isabella Nel produced two finishes to extend the lead. Her first came from a stolen Brazil lineout, the ball moved through the forwards and then swept wide for Nel to finish from 50 metres, Zulu converting from a tight angle. Her second followed a quick penalty advantage, the ball again shifted wide, for a 19-5 lead.
Heavy rain arrived at the interval and, while the wet conditions initially neutralised play, they ultimately aided Brazil. The Yaras abandoned their wider game, drove through their pack in repeated maul attacks, and Freitas crossed three times in the final quarter. Two yellow cards — Carmelita Malone and Yonda Nokwe — further undermined South Africa's resistance, with the final try conceded deep in injury time sealing the result.
Scrumhalf Anitha Fazi, converted to the position for the match, struggled to distribute cleanly from the base in the wet, while hooker Karabo Lebotsa twice lost lineout throws at attacking mauls that could have extended South Africa's advantage before the tide turned.