Black Ferns Sevens have stumbled through the first challenge to their World Rugby sevens crown, barely overcoming South Africa 19-14 in their opening pool match at Dubai.
Without veterans Ruby Tui, Tyla Nathan-Wong and Michaela Blyde, New Zealand were far from their polished best against a team returning to the series as fulltimers after a length absence.
The Ferns won the opening kickoff, but were trapped deep in their own territory by handling errors. When they eventually turned the ball over, Nadine Roos put South Africa ahead with a converted try.
Sarah Hirini in action for the Black Ferns Sevens.
Photo credit: Photosport
With their next possession, a long pass put Mahina Paul into space for a long range try, but the missed conversion left them trailling. When Jorga Miller spilled a pass on attack, Maria Tshiremba broke away to give South Africa a 14-5 halftime advantage.
The NZ women had only conceded halftime leads only three times during their 2022/23 campaign, winning twice, but needed two scores make up this deficit.
They were just as hesitant to start the second half, but were gifted a numerical edge, when Tshiremba was yellow-carded for obstruction, and Jazmin Felix-Hotham took full toll to bring her team within two points.
Portia Wickliffe-Woodman seemed to have the winning try in her sights, but dropped the final pass cold, as South Africa surged onto attack and threatened to clinch the upset. On their own line, New Zealand forced the turnover, captain Sarah Hirini took a quick tap and stayed in support to scamper away for victory.
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They face Great Britain, 38-17 losers against Fiji, in their next pool match.
Meanwhile, archrivals Australia began their campaign with 32-0 whitewash of Brazil, France blanked Canada 29-0, United States kept Spain scoreless 27-0, while Ireland overwhelmed Japan 35-7.
The All Blacks Sevens begin their title defence against Canada.
Black Ferns Sevens 19 (Paul, Felix-Hotham & Hirini tries; Pouri-Lane 2 conversions) South Africa 14 (Roos & Shiremba tries; Roos 2 conversions)
More to come
