Maria Tshiremba marked her Test debut with a second-half hat-trick as the Springbok Women claimed the Ubuntu-Bula Trophy with a 29-22 win over Fijiana XV at Churchill Park on Saturday, completing a 2-0 series sweep after last week's 55-12 demolition in Suva.
The result was far harder earned than that first Test scoreline suggested. Fiji came out with clear intent, with two early breakdown penalties against South Africa handing the home side momentum before wing Atelaite Buna scored in the left corner. The Bok Women were uncharacteristically sloppy in the opening exchanges, their backline passing well below the level shown in Suva.
The pack provided the stabilising force. Sixteen minutes in, a powerful scrum drew a penalty, the Boks kicked to the corner, and Lindelwa Gwala crashed over from the driving maul — her 17th Test try in her 40th cap — to level at 5-5.
Two yellow cards complicated matters significantly. Zintle Mpupha was binned for cynical play at the breakdown, and Fiji capitalised immediately through Adi Vani Buleki to lead 10-5. A second yellow, to Anacadia Minnaar, left South Africa defending 13 against 15 for a sustained period. They held out without conceding, keeping the deficit at 10-5 at the break.
With both players back on the field, the Boks attacked from a lineout early in the second half and Tshiremba struck for the first time. A sharp run and offload from Maceala Samboya gave the debutant open space, and she finished to give South Africa a 12-10 lead, Byrhandré Dolf converting.
Fiji prop Karalaini Naisewa was subsequently binned for cynical play, and the Boks punished the Fijians again almost immediately. A wayward Fijian kick found Tshiremba, who was assured under the high ball throughout, and she outpaced two defenders to score in the corner and extend the lead to 17-10, Dolf unable to convert.
Fiji hit back to make it a contest again, but Tshiremba settled it in the 78th minute with her third try, shutting out the home side and securing both the match and the series trophy.