Canada ran away with a heavy 52 – 17 victory against South Africa, on the first day of Nations Cup competition, in Oakville, Ontario.

Canada stepped on to the pitch, for the first time since the 2010 World Cup, having made one last-minute change. Ottawa’s Marie Bosco was added to the reserves bench, due to a minor injury flare up with Cheryl Phillips. The Canadians sang the national anthem with pride and promptly flung themselves into their work.

From the beginning, it appeared that Canada’s speed across the field was going to be difficult for their opposition to contain, as Edmonton’s Jen Kish, who was standing in as Canada’s #8 during offensive scrums, was a constant threat and kept Canada on the front foot for most of the game.

Head Coach John Tait: “We are blessed with two great #8’s. Jenn has the ability and speed to get out and attack the other team’s backline, so we have enjoyed seeing what she can do in those situations. She was great today in both attack and defense.”

After an early Canadian try, the South Africans were able to claw their way back to a 7 – 6 score line, but that was as close as the match would get. A steady stream of quick ball with ample support runners began to see Canada widen the gap. Despite often heroic South African tackles, the Canadians began a parade to the try line.

The real story of this match was the impact of Canada’s Sevens internationals. Names like Kish, Russell, Marchak, Burk and Landry were threats whenever they touched the ball; Landry herself notching three of Canada’s tries, with electric turns of pace.

Coach Tait had these words about his team’s performance:

"Overall I was very happy with our set piece, and I thought the overall team performance really improved in the second-half. One exciting thing was that the new caps really stood out. I thought Kayla Mack did great work around the park and showed she deserved to be out there. Kelly Russell really had a Captain’s performance out there as well."

As pleased as the Canadian management was with the team’s accomplishments, they are under no illusions about the path ahead of them in this competition.

“We are going to have to be a little more aware of where we are on the field in the future, and tighten up our kick chase. We are only going to get so many opportunities from here on in at this tournament, so we will have to make sure we take them when they arrive."

The Canadian women will now rest up for their match on Day #2 of the Nations Cup, against the U.S.A. in Chatham, on Friday. The Americans pushed England to the extreme limit in their Day #1 match, losing a heartbreaker 15 – 11.

Surely there are more great displays of rugby in store at this tournament; and sights that every fan of elite international rugby will want to come out and see.

Final Score: Canada (52) - South Africa (17)

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Recorded matches will be archived at: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/live-rugby

Canadian Team vs. South Africa:
1. Marie-Pier Pinault-Reid (Club de Rugby de Quebec) Quebec City, PQ
2. Kim Donaldson (Burnaby Lake) Vancouver, BC
3. Corinne Jacobsen (Burnaby Lake) Vancouver, BC
4. Maria Jaworski (Calgary Hornets) Calgary, AB
5. Danielle Rowlands (Kirin RFC / Calgary Hornets) Colonsay, SK
6. Kayla Mack (Wild Oats) Saskatoon, SK
7. Jen Kish (Lep Tigers) Edmonton, AB
8. Kelly Russell (Capt.) (Toronto Nomads) Bolton, ON
9. Laura Stoughton (Calgary Irish) Calgary, AB
10. Julia Sugawara (Burnaby Lake) Surrey, BC
11. Jessica Dovanne (Velox Valkyries) Victoria, BC
12. Mandy Marchak (Capilano) Winnipeg, MB
13. Brittany Waters (Meraloma) Vancouver, BC
14. Andrea Burk (Capilano North) Vancouver, BC
15. Ghislaine Landry (Toronto Scottish) Toronto, ON
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16. Jessica Belchos (Markham Irish) Innisfil, ON
17. Brandi Van Eeuwen (Cowichan) Duncan, BC
18. Laura Russell (Toronto Nomads) Bolton, ON
19. Shannon Kane (Capilano) Victoria, BC
20. Arielle Dubissette-Borrice (Toronto Nomads) Ajax, ON
21. Julianne Zussman (Town of Mount Royal RFC) Montreal, PQ
22. Marie Bosco (Ottawa Irish) Ottawa, ON

Staff:
Head Coach: John Tait
Assistant Coach: Sandro Fiorino
Team Manager: Penny Delaney
Press Officer: Jeff Hull
Athletic Therapist: Jason White
Athletic Therapist: Darren Wharrie

South African Team vs. Canada:
1. Nedene Botha
2. Denita Wentzel
3. Cebisa Kula
4. Dolly Mavumengwana
5. Nolusindiso Booi
6. Lamla Momoti
7. Mandisa Williams (Capt.)
8. Namhla Siyolo
9. Fundiswa Plaatjie
10. Zenay Jorsaan
11. Natasha Hofmeester
12. Daphne Scheepers
13. Ziyanda Tywaleni
14. Phumeza Gadu
15. Pulane Motloung
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16. Pulane Motloung
17. Laurian Johannes
18. Onicca Moaga
19. Nomathamsanqa Faleni
20. Nwabisa Ngxatu
21. Janine Felix
22. Yolanda Meiring

Nations Cup Match Day #1 (Oakville)
Tuesday 2nd August
4:30 pm - Canada vs. South Africa
6:30 pm - USA vs. England

Nations Cup Match Day #2 (Chatham)
Friday 5th August
5:00 pm - England vs. South Africa
7:00 pm - Canada vs. USA

Nations Cup Match Day #3 (Oakville)
Tuesday 9th August
4:30 pm – South Africa vs. USA
6:30 pm – Canada vs. England

Nations Cup Finals (Oakville)
Saturday 13th August
2:00 pm 3rd vs. 4th
4:00 pm 1st vs. 2nd