Maria Tshiremba scored three second-half tries on Test debut as the Springbok Women beat the Fijiana XV 29-22 at Churchill Park in Lautoka on Saturday, completing a 2-0 series win.
It was a far more demanding afternoon than last week's win in Suva. Fiji came with intent, taking a 10-5 lead into the break and playing the majority of the first-half rugby, while the Bok Women were uncharacteristically sloppy with ball in hand and conceded two yellow cards in the closing stages of the opening period.
Fiji scored first through wing Atelaite Buna, benefiting from early breakdown penalties against South Africa. The Bok Women steadied through the forwards — a powerful scrum led to an attacking lineout, and Lindelwa Gwala crashed over for her 17th Test try in her 40th cap to level the scores.
The yellow cards changed the shape of the half dramatically. Zintle Mpupha was binned for cynical breakdown play, and Fiji immediately punished with a try to Adi Vani Buleki. Minutes later, Anacadia Minnaar followed her to the bin for defending against a quick tap, leaving South Africa with 13 players. Remarkably, they conceded nothing further and went to the break down 10-5.
The second half was Tshiremba's. With Mpupha and Minnaar back on the field, a lineout move created space and a sharp run and offload from Maceala Samboya gave the debutant wing a clear run to score her first. Byrhandré Dolf converted for a 12-10 lead.
A wayward Fijian kick then found Tshiremba under the high ball, and she outpaced two defenders to score in the corner and push the lead to 17-10. Fiji, still a player down following the binning of prop Karalaini Naisewa, hit back through replacement Adi Salote Nailolo to level, but Tshiremba had the final word — crossing in the 78th minute to seal the win and end Fiji's hopes of a comeback.