GB Women Face Must-Win Match Against South Africa After Heavy Defeat to Australia

 


GB Women Face Must-Win Match Against South Africa After Heavy Defeat to Australia

Great Britain’s women’s rugby sevens team must secure victory over South Africa on Monday to ensure their place in the Olympic quarter-finals after suffering a heavy 36-5 defeat at the hands of world champions Australia.

The day began positively for Team GB with a gritty 21-12 victory over Olympic newcomers Ireland. However, they were acutely aware that their toughest challenge in Pool B would come against the formidable Australian side, who entered the match as the reigning Olympic and World Series champions.

Great Britain initially showed promise, taking the lead through Ellie Kildunne, a standout in England’s Six Nations campaign, who broke through Australia’s defence. Heather Cowell finished the move, scoring a try to give GB an early advantage.

However, Australia's class soon shone through. Maddison Levi, the top try-scorer in the 2024 World Series, showcased her exceptional talent by scoring a hat-trick, adding to her four tries from Australia's 34-5 victory over South Africa. Her sister, Teagan Levi, also made her mark on the game, contributing to Australia's tally as they dismantled Britain’s defence with six unanswered tries.

In other Pool B action, Ireland kept their quarter-final hopes alive with a commanding 38-0 win over South Africa, scoring six tries in a historic victory. Ireland now face Australia on Monday, while Britain’s earlier win over Ireland means they are currently second in Pool B based on head-to-head record, despite a lower points difference.

The tournament structure allows the top two teams from each of the three pools, along with the two best third-placed teams, to advance to the quarter-finals on Monday evening. With Australia, France, New Zealand, and the USA already securing their quarter-final spots with two wins each on Sunday, the competition for the remaining places intensifies.

Adding to the electric atmosphere, a record-breaking 66,000 fans packed into the Stade de France, surpassing the previous attendance record for a women’s rugby event, set at Twickenham with 58,498 spectators for the England vs. France match in 2023.

Great Britain’s coach and players will be focusing on regrouping and delivering a strong performance against South Africa to keep their Olympic dream alive. The match against South Africa is now a crucial decider for Britain’s advancement in the tournament, and they will need to summon their best to secure a place in the last eight.