SÃO PAULO – The smiles are genuine, and for excellent reason. The South African Women’s Sevens team arrives in São Paulo this week with a weight lifted, having already secured their place at the HSBC World Rugby Championship. This weekend’s tournament, the final stop in the series, offers a chance not just to compete, but to prepare for the higher stakes to come. The team’s journey to qualification, and the contrasting experiences of recent weeks, highlight the challenges and triumphs of building a competitive program on the world stage.
The relief is palpable, according to playmaker and pivot Byrhandré Dolf. “We are stress-free now; we know where we are heading and that was what we worked for,” she said. The qualification for the World Championship allows the team to shift focus from simply securing a spot to refining their game and building cohesion. This weekend in Brazil presents a valuable opportunity to do just that, facing a series of opponents that will test their resilience and tactical flexibility. The HSBC SVNS standings currently place South Africa second with 34 points, trailing Argentina’s 40, but closely followed by Spain also on 34 points. Full standings are available on the World Rugby website.
A Smooth Arrival After Travel Woes
The contrast between this week’s preparations and last week’s is stark. While the team settled into São Paulo on Monday, allowing ample time for recovery and analysis, their previous experience in Montevideo was far from ideal. Arriving mid-week, they battled significant jet lag and struggled to adjust to the time difference. This disrupted their preparation and contributed to a narrow 15-14 defeat against Spain, a match where they conceded three tries in the opening seven minutes before mounting a second-half comeback.
Dolf anticipates a more fluent start to the tournament this time around. “We had much more time to do analysis of last weekend’s games and to iron out slight gremlins on the training field, something we certainly did not have time for last week,” she explained. The extra time has allowed for individual performance reviews and a deeper understanding of team dynamics under pressure. “Each player had a good look at their individual performances and how the team functioned under pressure, and that made it much easier going into this weekend.”
Preparing for the World Championship
The HSBC World Rugby Championship represents a significant step up in competition, and the team is using this weekend as a crucial preparation phase. Dolf emphasized the importance of playing to their full potential. “We can also use this weekend to prepare ourselves for the World Championship, where the standards will be higher. Another tournament under the belt also means we will be better as a squad and more cohesive in our performance.” She sees this as an opportunity to refine their attack, an area where she believes she can provide key leadership.
“I am growing as a player and the work-ons will never stop,” Dolf said. “I am looking forward to this weekend as this is another opportunity where we can play as a team, we are stronger together, after all.” Her guidance on attack will be particularly important as the team looks to exploit opportunities and build momentum.
Squad Update and Fixtures
The Springbok Women’s Sevens squad for São Paulo includes captain Nadine Roos (#9) and uncapped player Maceala Samboya (#27). Leading try-scorer Maria Tshiremba will be rested this weekend due to a minor injury, allowing other players to gain valuable experience. The full squad list is as follows:
- #2 Asisipho Plaatjies
- #3 Patience Mokone
- #9 Nadine Roos (captain)
- #10 Byrhandré Dolf
- #12 Liske Lategan
- #14 Simamkele Namba
- #16 Shiniqwa Lamprecht
- #19 Shanidiné Bezuidenhout
- #20 Catha Jacobs
- #23 Ayanda Malinga
- #26 Lerato Makua
- #27 Maceala Samboya (uncapped)
- #28 Shannon-Lee Windvogel
The team will face a challenging schedule, beginning with a rematch against Spain on Saturday. Their fixtures are as follows (SA times, live on SuperSport):
- Saturday, 28 March
- 16h06: Spain
- 19h18: Kenya
- 22h49: Brazil
- Sunday, 29 March
- 17h28: Argentina
- 20h18: China
Looking Ahead
The focus for the Bok Women extends beyond this weekend’s results. The HSBC SVNS series provides a crucial platform for development and preparation, and the team is determined to use every opportunity to improve. The confirmed qualification for the World Championship has instilled a sense of confidence and allows them to approach each match with a clear sense of purpose. The team’s performance in São Paulo will not only contribute to their standing in the series but also serve as a vital stepping stone towards success on the global stage.
The next confirmed step for the Springbok Women’s Sevens team is the announcement of the final squad for the HSBC World Rugby Championship, expected in the coming months. Stay tuned to SA Rugby’s official website for updates and further information.
What are your thoughts on the Bok Women’s chances at the World Championship? Share your predictions and support in the comments below.
