MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay – The South African women’s sevens team has secured qualification for the 2026 Rugby World Cup Sevens, despite a mixed performance at the HSBC SVNS Uruguay 2024 tournament this past weekend. While head coach Renfred Dlamini, known as Afrika, acknowledged “14 minutes of poor rugby” cost them potential victories against Spain and Argentina, the team’s overall resilience and strong showings against other opponents proved enough to cement their place among the world’s elite. This qualification marks a significant step forward for the program, building momentum as they prepare for the challenges ahead.
South Africa finished the tournament with three wins from five matches, a result that ultimately satisfied Afrika, despite the frustrating lapses in concentration. The team’s journey to qualification wasn’t without its hurdles. A slow start against Spain on Saturday saw them fall behind early, eventually losing a closely contested match 15-14. Details of the match, including the initial 15-0 deficit, are available on the Springboks website. Similarly, a late collapse against Argentina on Sunday, conceding three second-half tries, resulted in a 22-10 defeat. The Springboks website also provides a recap of the Argentina match and the crucial qualification secured.
Building Momentum Through Defensive Strength
Though, Afrika was quick to emphasize the positive aspects of the team’s performance, particularly their dominant displays against China, Brazil, and Kenya. “We really played excellent rugby against China, Brazil and Kenya,” he said. “Especially our defensive effort was massive and that did put teams under huge pressure. Fault the effort from the ladies, who really gave everything they had.” This defensive prowess proved to be a key factor in their success, disrupting opponents’ attacks and creating opportunities for South Africa to capitalize. The ability to consistently apply pressure defensively will be crucial as they face tougher competition in the lead-up to the World Championships.
The HSBC SVNS series serves as a qualifying pathway for the Rugby World Cup Sevens, with teams accumulating points throughout the season. World Rugby has confirmed that Argentina (40 log points) and South Africa (34 log points) have secured their spots in the upcoming events in Hong Kong (April 17-19), Valladolid (May 29-31), and Bordeaux (June 5-7). The final HSBC SVNS 2 tournament in São Paulo will determine the remaining qualifiers. Spain (34 points) currently holds the third position, while China (28 points) and Brazil (22 points) are locked in a tight race for the final qualification berth.
Developing Depth and New Talent
Looking ahead, Afrika stressed the importance of continued development and building squad depth. The team will travel to São Paulo for the final tournament with qualification already secured, providing a valuable opportunity to experiment and integrate new players into the system. “We need to play matches at this level to gain use to the intensity and quality as we are also in the process of building depth in our squad,” Afrika explained.
The tournament in Uruguay also provided a platform for emerging talent to showcase their abilities. Shanidinè Bezuidenhout made her debut, impressing the coaching staff with her performance. Lerato Makua, who has seen limited tournament experience, also stood out with her effort and commitment, demonstrating significant growth as an international sevens player. “She has now matured into a highly good international sevens player and that came from being exposed to this level of rugby,” Afrika noted. This focus on nurturing young talent is vital for the long-term success of the South African women’s sevens program.
Injury Updates and Preparation for São Paulo
Fortunately, the team appears to have emerged from the Uruguay tournament relatively unscathed. Afrika reported no significant injuries, although the team management will closely monitor the players’ condition ahead of the back-to-back tournament in Brazil. “There were no injuries at the complete of the tournament, but as We see a back-to-back weekend for everyone, we need to manage that as well,” he said. Proper recovery and injury prevention will be paramount as the team prepares for the increased demands of the HSBC SVNS series and the ultimate goal of the Rugby World Cup Sevens.
The qualification for the World Championships represents a major milestone for South African women’s rugby. The team’s journey has been marked by dedication, resilience, and a commitment to continuous improvement. While acknowledging the areas that need refinement, Afrika remains optimistic about the team’s potential and their ability to compete at the highest level. The upcoming tournaments in São Paulo, Hong Kong, Valladolid, and Bordeaux will provide crucial opportunities to fine-tune their strategies, build squad depth, and prepare for the challenges that lie ahead.
The team will continue to assess player fitness and refine their game plan as they head to São Paulo. Fans can follow the Springbok Women Sevens team’s progress and discover updated schedules and results on the official Springboks website.
What are your thoughts on the Bok Women’s performance? Share your comments below and let us know what you’re most excited to see from the team as they prepare for the World Championships!
