The USA Women's Eagles started their 2024 season off with a stunning 38-17 win against South Africa in their warmup match ahead of the Pacific Four Series.

In his first match as head coach, Sione Fukofuka saw his side score six tries, and, really, they were in even more control than the scoreline made it look. Regardless, three tries from South Africa isn't exactly a perfect performance.

Georgie Perris-Redding scored a hat trick and was Player of the Match. Meanwhile Cassidy Bargell and Amanda Berta both ran off the bench, earning their first cap and becoming Eagles #323 and #324, respectively. Bargell's story is an inspiring one, as she has battled through hugely difficult health problems, severe acute ulcerative colitis, which required her to live and train and play without a large intestine.

 

 

 

 

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Публикация, споделена от Alex Goff (@goffrugbyreport)

Charli Jacoby and Gabby Cantorna, meanwhile earned their 25th caps.

The squad will celebrate their first win of 2024 before heading back to home soil to prepare for their first 2024 Pacific Four Series matchup against Canada. The North American border battle takes place Sunday, April 28, at DignityHealth Sports Park in Los Angeles. Tickets are available usa.rugby/tickets.

In their first matchup in nearly 11 years, the Eagles would strike first right off kickoff, as Georgie Perris-Redding snatched a loose ball and dove over the try line within seconds.

From there, the USA struggled to find their connection through the majority of the first half, and they found themselves defending their own tryline multiple times as South Africa held most of the possession. South Africa were dominant in the scrums, and several penalties will have the USA looking at what they can improve heading into next month.

Penalties hurt the usA and South Afrrica pressured with a chance to score but the USA defense was solid. But finally off a lineout, Olivia Ortiz found a gap to skip through the middle of South Africa's defensive line. Kate Zackary then offloaded to Kathryn Treder for the second USA try of the match. The Eagles' confidence grew from there as both teams worked hard to control the ball and keep their opponent out of scoring territory. The Eagles' hard work paid off, as they shut them out in the first half, heading into the final 40 minutes up 14-0.

South Africa kicked off the second half and worked to take back possession at a USA scrum. But Georgie Perris-Redding was ready to go, picking up the ball at a ruck and running down for another five points.

A USA knock-on at the restart gave South Africa control, and the Springbok Women finally got their maul over to score.  Ortiz sparked an answer with a tap-and-go off a penalty and a linking with McKenzie Hawkins, who chipped the ball downfield for Emily Henrich to gather and score—a try initiated by a Sorensen finalilst, set up by a Sorensen winner and capped by another Sorensen winner.

 South Africa were beginning give away small mistakes and let the Eagles gain more attacking opportunities. A turnover from the Springbok Women led to Perris-Redding's hands charging forward and a kick from Hawkins right into Lotte Clapp's hands on the wing for a well-taken team try.