In a display of continuous improvement, the Springbok Women’s Sevens team showcased their progress in the recent leg of the World Rugby Sevens Series in Perth.
The positive strides made in Australia have set a confident tone for the upcoming tournaments in Vancouver and Los Angeles, according to head coach Renfred Dazel.
Despite a narrow defeat to Brazil in the ninth-place playoff, the South African team’s overall performance reflected growth, with a notable first pool win against Great Britain and a subsequent triumph over Spain.
Coach Dazel acknowledged the team’s development, emphasizing the need for consistency in future competitions.
“The result against Brazil was not quite what we wanted as we dropped our standards from yesterday a bit, but looking back at the three days as a whole, we have certainly improved in many areas,” commented Dazel after the final match in Perth.
The quick turnaround for the upcoming tournaments in Vancouver and Los Angeles poses a new challenge for the team, but Dazel is optimistic about the squad’s ability to adapt. He highlighted the need to tweak the training program to ensure optimal performance over three consecutive days of play.
Dazel also pointed out external factors like low temperatures and the indoor setting with an artificial pitch in Vancouver, presenting unique challenges for the players. Despite these conditions, the coaching staff is committed to preparing the team effectively.
One standout performer for the Springbok Women’s Sevens was Shona-Leah Weston, who made a comeback after a decade, impressing with her maturity and experience. Dazel commended Weston’s contributions, emphasizing the valuable experience she brings to a relatively young squad.
Co-captain Zintle Mpupha echoed the sentiment of progress, stating, “We showed that we deserve to be here as a core team in HSBC SVNS and that we can compete. Yes, we are not yet where we want to be, but to see the hard work being rewarded with those back-to-back wins did wonders for us.”
While still in 11th place on the overall standings, the Springbok Women gained a crucial point on Japan in 10th place. Nadine Roos emerged as the top scorer for South Africa during the tournament, while Mathrin Simmers extended her record as the most capped Springbok Women’s Sevens player in HSBC SVNS to 16 tournaments.
As the team prepares for the challenges ahead, the foundation laid in Perth suggests that the Springbok Women’s Sevens are on a trajectory of improvement that could see them climb the ranks in the World Rugby Sevens Series.
