Captain Nolusindiso Booi became the first Springbok Women’s player to reach 50 caps in Saturday’s 48-26 victory over Spain in Alicante. Credit: Walter Domingo / RFER

Almost seven months after their last game, the Springbok Women returned to Test match action, claiming a convincing 48-26 win against Spain to kick their World Cup preparations off in great fashion.

On the occasion of captain Nolusindiso Booi becoming the first Springbok Women’s player to reach half a century of caps, a high scoring match provided plenty of entertainment for the crowd and work ons for the two teams.

Although Spain applied early pressure, South Africa were the first team to put points on the scoreboard, after a sensational wave of offloads allowed openside flanker Sinazo Mcatshulwa to score.

The Boks then started to pick up the pace, making great use of their set-piece to anchor themselves inside Spain’s half, patiently waiting for an opening in the opposition’s defence.

Around the 23rd minute mark, powerhouse number-eight Aseza Hele quickly exited from the scrum, trampling a number of would-be tacklers before dotting the ball down. Jakkie Cilliers added the extras.

Hele didn’t stop there and four minutes later bagged her second of the game, with Spain down to 14 after a sin bin to Amàlia Argudo.

The visitors were in complete control of the game’s tempo, forcing Spain to concede several penalties at the breakdown.

Juan González Marruecos’ side were close to scoring their first try after a brilliant run from Zahia Pérez, however, it would be South Africa to strike again, expanding their lead to 26-0.

With Argudo back on, the Leonas finally claimed their first points with wing Tecla Masoko sprinting through the left flank to score in the corner.

Just before the break, South Africa scored their fifth five-pointer with Hele bouncing off a couple of defenders before diving over the white wash.

In the second 40 minutes, both sides got the chance to show their very best.

South Africa added two more tries to their tally before a Spanish resurgence in the late stages of the game saw a 14 point swing within a few minutes.

Spain’s Masoko earned her second try, followed by a breathtaking interception by centre Zahia Pérez who plucked Libbie Janse van Rensburg’s floating pass out of the sky on 61 minutes, which closed the gap to 29 points to the delight of the Spanish crowd.

However, even when the South Africans had lost some impetus and dipped in form, they still found a way to score their eighth and final try of the match through replacement prop Yonela Ngxingolo.

However, it was the Leonas who had the final say, with captain Laura Delgado adding her name to the scoresheet with the home side’s fourth of the afternoon.

Boks Women’s coach Swys de Bruin shared a brief thought about his team’s 48-26 victory: “I am very happy! We wanted the victory, and it came our way. All credit to Spain, who came back very well in the second half and kept on fighting.”

Spain’s Juan González Marruecos also gave his view on his team’s performance: “A bittersweet sensation.

We made too many mistakes in the first half, especially in our half, but in the second half we were stronger while defending and managed to find a way to fight back against a very resilient and physical team.”

Spain will now have a short rest after six weeks competing, while South Africa return home to continue their World Cup preparations.