Lana Skeldon scores brace of tries as Scotland get better of South Africa

Lana Skeldon scored two first-half tries as Scotland beat South Africa 31-17 in their opening match of the inaugural WXV tournament in Stellenbosch.

Worcester hooker Skeldon powered over twice in the space of six minutes before half-time to give her side a 17-10 interval lead at the Danie Craven Stadium.

Libbie Janse van Rensburg’s early penalty and Aseza Hele’s converted touchdown had put South Africa 10-5 up after Scotland number eight Evie Gallagher had scored the game’s opening try.

Scotland prop Leah Bartlett’s converted score 10 minutes into the second period put her side 24-10 ahead and although South Africa reduced the deficit through Roseline Botes’ converted try, the Scots finished strongly.

GB 7’s centre Lisa Thomson went over for the game’s seventh and final try, with Meryl Smith adding her second successful conversion, to seal victory for Bryan Easson’s side.

Eighteen teams are taking part in the new three-tier WXV competition, with the top six, including England and Wales, to compete in WXV 1 in New Zealand on October 21 and 28 and November 4.

The next six nations, featuring Scotland and Ireland, are contesting WXV 2 in South Africa on October 13, 14, 21 and 28 and WXV 3 is being held across the same dates in Dubai.