Kenya Lionesses might have lost to South Africa’s Springboks women yesterday, but their fighting spirit was surely impressive after going down by a try with the defending champions holding on for a narrow 19-12 win.

Despite a poor start that granted the South Africans a 12-0 halftime advantage, the East Africans revealed the never-say-die attitude in them when two late tries trembled the mighty Springboks, who have already qualified to play in this year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup in England.

The one-try defeat was an improvement from Kenya, who lost 63-5 when the two sides met last year and 77-12 when they played in 2023. In fact, this result only mirrors their 2021 encounter when they lost 27-22.

Boks started the match with real purpose, with a strong scrum setting up a string of penalties to the South Africans, who took the lead in the fourth minute when centre Aphiwe Ngwevu ran the perfect line to ground the ball following some good driving play by her pack.

Mary Zulu, who started at fly-half, converted for a 7-0 lead.

Kenya recovered well and managed to get some possession in good positions, working their way upfield, but relentless defence kept them away from the South African 22 red zone.

A yellow card to Xoliswa Khuzwayo after a second defensive infringement gave the Kenyans more space and their best chance to score but would be denied with the Bok defence.

Another chance followed almost immediately, but a timely intercept by winger Simamkele Namba saved the day for South Africa as play was moved back into the Kenyan half of the field and their chance was gone.

Boks managed to work their way towards the Kenyan line before Lerato Makua crashed over to extend the South African lead to 12-0 after a missed conversion.

The try came from a good run by wing Patience Mokone, and after the ball was recycled, the Boks flanker was on hand to finish despite a number of defenders desperately clinging on.

In the final half, South Africa started the second half best as well, although it was defence, rather than attack, that kept them on the front foot.

Their defence kept every Kenyan attack at bay, with the red jerseys often having to relieve pressure with kicks downfield where fullback Byrhandré Dolf did well on the counter-attack.

The lead was finally extended to 19-0 when flanker Nobuhle Mjwara scored her first Test try and when Zulu converted, and with 10 minutes left, it seemed a done deal for Springboks.

Kenya had other plans, though, and hit back with two quick tries scored by Freshia Oduor and Noleen Khaleyi.

South Africa will be crowned champions on Sunday if they defeat hosts Madagascar, while Kenya will face Uganda Lady Cranes in an East African derby.