Black Ferns Secure Historic Victory in South Africa as Warriors Move into NRL Playoffs

Aotearoa is celebrating a weekend of sporting milestones following a historic performance by the Black Ferns in South Africa and a successful finals charge by the Warriors. On Radio Waatea, sports commentators Ken Laban and Dale Husband dissected the results, noting the significant cultural impact these elite performances have on Māori and Pacific communities at the grassroots level. In a landmark match, the Black Ferns defeated the Springbok Women 52-20, scoring eight tries in what was the first-ever Test between the two nations played on South African soil. Despite receiving four yellow cards and being reduced to 13 players at one point, the New Zealand side remained dominant, even scoring two tries while short-handed. Elinor-Plum King and Braxton Sorensen-McGee both crossed the line twice, with King earning player of the match honours. Other try-scorers included Chryss Viliko, Maia Joseph, Amarante Sititi, and Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu. The day was also marked by a rare piece of New Zealand rugby history for the Sititi whānau. Amarante Sititi came off the bench for the Black Ferns on the same day her brother, Wallace Sititi, featured for the All Blacks. The pair became the first brother and sister to play Test rugby on the same day since Annaleah and Xavier Rush in 1998. In rugby league, the Warriors secured a tense victory over the Manly Sea Eagles to confirm their place in the NRL playoffs. Laban noted that the club’s success resonates deeply across Aotearoa, where the "Up the Wahs" sentiment has spread from workplaces to marae. He highlighted how seeing players from similar backgrounds performing on the big stage inspires rangatahi. While the All Blacks fell 29-24 to the Springboks in Soweto, the focus now turns to the final Test in Baltimore and the Black Ferns' upcoming matches in Europe.