South Africa Springbok Women’s Sevens team secured ninth place with a hard-fought victory over the USA, capping off a weekend that saw them display resilience and determination in a thrilling conclusion to their campaign at the HSBC SVNS Singapore.
The Bok Women’s squad achieved their second-best performance of the season in Singapore, tallying three wins and two defeats from their five games at the National Stadium.
Maria Tshiremba emerged as a standout performer, scoring the decisive try just before halftime against the USA to secure a 5-0 victory in their final match of the tournament.
Renfred Dazel, the head coach, expressed his satisfaction with the team’s overall performance, highlighting the significance of securing three wins in a single tournament. “It was good for the girls to build momentum,” Dazel remarked.
Despite facing physical challenges with tired and sore bodies, the players rallied together to deliver an impressive showing.
Reflecting on missed opportunities, Dazel acknowledged that the team was close to reaching the quarter-finals, but pivotal defeats in their last two pool matches dashed those hopes. Heavy losses against France and Japan posed mental hurdles for the players, underscoring the need for mental fortitude in high-pressure situations.
The South Africans commenced their campaign on a positive note, edging out the USA 14-12 in a hard-fought encounter. However, subsequent defeats against France and Japan exposed vulnerabilities that the team aims to address moving forward.
The tournament’s second day rejuvenated the Bok Women’s spirits, culminating in a convincing 26-14 triumph over Spain. Tshiremba’s standout performance, including a brace of tries against Spain and the critical match-winning score against the USA, underscored her growing impact in sevens rugby.
Eloise Webb, a seasoned player within the squad, echoed Dazel’s sentiments, emphasizing the need for faster reactions and improved decision-making in future matches. Despite setbacks earlier in the tournament, Webb praised the team’s resilience and camaraderie, emphasizing their collective commitment to achieving their goals.
However, injuries marred the squad’s success, with Simamkele Namba, Zintle Mpupha, and Shona-Leah Weston facing various setbacks. Dazel highlighted the importance of assessing these injuries upon their return to South Africa, ensuring the players’ well-being ahead of upcoming competitions.
Looking ahead, the Springbok Women’s Sevens team faces a pivotal challenge in Spain later this month, competing in the promotion and relegation play-off competition at the HSBC SVNS Grand Final in Madrid. This tournament will determine core status for next season against formidable opponents.
The team’s ultimate assignment awaits in July, as they make their historic debut at the Olympic Games in Paris. With a mix of challenges and achievements from Singapore, the Bok Women’s Sevens squad is poised to harness this experience and elevate their performance on the global stage.
As the season progresses, the Springbok Women’s Sevens team remains steadfast in their pursuit of excellence, drawing strength from their resilience and unity to overcome obstacles and achieve their ambitious goals in international sevens rugby.
