The Springbok Women’s Sevens have qualified for the SVNS World Championship after finishing third in Uruguay and securing a top-four spot in SVNS 2 with one tournament remaining. They sit second on the SVNS 2 log with 34 points, trailing Argentina by six. Head coach Cecil Afrika praised the team's defensive efforts despite two losses over the weekend.
The Springbok Women’s Sevens clinched qualification for the SVNS World Championship following a strong performance in the HSBC SVNS 2 series. Despite placing third at the Estadio Charrua in Montevideo, Uruguay, on 21-22 March, the team locked in one of four promotional spots to the 12-team championship with the Brazil tournament still ahead on 28-29 March in São Paulo. They previously won SVNS 3 outright after progressing from the third division. Currently second on the SVNS 2 standings with 34 points, they trail leaders Argentina by six. Over the Uruguay weekend, losses came 15-14 to Spain and 22-10 to Argentina, but dominant wins included 38-0 over China, 26-0 over Brazil, and 27-0 over Kenya, yielding an 80% win rate across 15 games in Dubai, Nairobi, and Montevideo. Head coach Cecil Afrika noted, “We had two poor halves basically... but in between we really did well.” He highlighted the team's suffocating defense, adding, “I cannot fault the effort from the ladies, who really gave everything they had.” Standout players include skipper Nadine Roos, recent SA Rugby Women’s Player of the Year, speedster Maria Tshiremba with 15 tries, Ayanda Malinga, Byrhandré Dolf, and Patience Mokone. Tshiremba said, “I am getting more confident the more tries I have scored... every try is also a testimony of their hard work.” The championship begins in Hong Kong from 17-19 April, followed by Valladolid, Spain (29-31 May) and Bordeaux, France (5-7 June), with teams starting afresh for log points. Top-eight finishers avoid relegation.
