ALVA rugby star Megan Kennedy is in South Africa in the hopes of making history with the Scotland Women's national team.

The squad flew out for two test matches with the Wee County star onboard.

She helped Scotland make history against the South African national Springbok Women squad on Monday, September 30, as not only did the team play its first-ever match in the southern hemisphere, they also recorded one of their biggest victories in a decade.

The game in Cape Town saw Scotland run riot over their hosts, taking a 5-47 victory.

By half-time the Scottish team was 22 points ahead, controlling possession and going through the phases with confidence.

Megan, who plays for Stirling County, started on the bench and was brought in for Mairi Forsyth as part of the first wave of substitutions after 53 minutes.

This came just after the South African team finally managed to finally power over the line on 48 minutes, the hosts recording their only score.

Tighthead Megan has been playing since she was 14 and previously represented Scotland in U20s, she is now a Scottish Rugby supported player until 2021.

Coming from a passionate rugby family, she juggles training and matches with her studies at the University of Stirling where she is undertaking a masters degree in sports psychology.

She already has a journalism degree under her belt at bachelor level, combined with sports studies.

Her proud dad Gregor spoke to the Advertiser ahead of Monday's match.

He said: "I'm very chuffed she's been selected again, she has worked hard, especially with all the injuries she's had."

The first-ever match south of the equator could not have gone much better for the Scottish team.

Head coach Philip Doyle will be hoping for a repeat of the showcase this Saturday, October 5, when the team once again faces Springbok Women for a re-match at City Park Sports Grounds.

Following the game on Monday, he said: "I'm absolutely thrilled for the team, absolutely delighted for them, especially for the performance that they put in.

"I always said that there was a core group of girls there and I am thrilled that they were able to deliver on the game plan.

"Everyone delivered but it is the nature of the delivery that impressed me the most."

The autumn tests will continue in November when the squad will face Wales on Sunday, November 17, and Japan on Sunday, November 24.