Shannon-Lee Windvogel’s long road back from injury reaches its ultimate destination this weekend when the explosive SWD Eagirls speedster pulls on the green and gold for the first time at HSBC SVNS 2 in Nairobi. But whilst the debutant grabs headlines, coach Cecil Afrika has unfinished business on his mind, and Spain are firmly in his crosshairs.
The Springbok Women’s Sevens team departs for Kenya on Tuesday evening with 10 survivors from last month’s triumphant Dubai campaign, where victory in HSBC SVNS 3 catapulted them into the critical qualifying phase. Now the real work begins across three tournaments, with Nairobi representing the opening battleground in their quest for progression.
Windvogel steps into the breach left by injured flyer Vianca Boer, whilst Lerato Makua returns to the sevens fold in place of her Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 and Isuzu Bulls Daisies teammate Zintle Mpupha, who remains on provincial duty.
Windvogel’s moment arrives
For the dynamic youngster, selection represents the sweetest reward after battling through a punishing injury nightmare. Her eye-catching displays at November’s Dubai International Invitational tournament convinced Afrika she possesses the raw materials for international stardom.
“Shannon-Lee is still young, but very talented and if she looks well after herself and stays disciplined, she will have a long career with us,” Afrika said. “She is very dynamic and fully fit again after a long struggle with injury. She did well when offered the opportunity in the Dubai International Invitational tournament in November and I am pleased for her.”
Makua’s recall adds further firepower to a squad brimming with confidence. The versatile operator’s seamless transition back into the abbreviated format has impressed Afrika, who expects big things from the experienced campaigner.
“Lerato is back in the sevens fray and she will do well, such is her skill set and natural ability,” he explained. “She is quickly adapting to playing sevens again and will reach her full potential very soon.”
New format demands perfection
The tournament introduces a fresh challenge that will test mental fortitude as much as physical prowess. Six teams face each other once in a league format where every log point carries monumental weight, with bonus points and points difference potentially proving decisive across the entire qualifying series.
“It will be a bit different from the format that we are used to during the normal world series, where your pool matches are followed by the knock-out phase,” said Afrika. “It does make every match very important as points difference and bonus points are also up for the taking. A losing bonus point could turn out to be very valuable and a slip up here can come back to bite you in the final tournament, so we need to take every match on its merits and make sure we pitch up every time.”
Home away from home
Nairobi holds fond memories for this Springbok side. Twelve months ago, they conquered the same Kenyan capital to claim the Rugby Africa Women’s Sevens Championship, and that local knowledge could prove invaluable.
“It does help knowing the lay of the land a bit,” Afrika acknowledged. “We will stay at the same hotel as last time and although we play in a different stadium, things like traffic and training venues will also be familiar to us.”
Spain showdown carries extra edge
Whilst Brazil, China, Kenya and Argentina all await, it’s the clash with Spain that has Afrika’s undivided attention. The ghosts of Madrid 2024 still haunt the Bok camp, a defeat that dumped South Africa out of the world series for this season and left a bitter taste that refuses to fade.
“They beat us in Madrid in 2024 and that defeat dropped us out of the world series for this season,” Afrika said bluntly. “That stung and we wanted to play them again, so we now have this opportunity.”
Recent form suggests South Africa arrive in peak condition. Fresh victories over Kenya and Argentina bolster confidence, whilst their narrow loss to Brazil in Dubai showed they can mix it with the best on any given day.
“We have played against all of them in the last two seasons and had wins and losses, so we know it will be up to our execution on the day,” Afrika added. “We had recent wins over Kenya and Argentina and were just edged by Brazil in the Dubai International Invitational tournament.”
The coach’s satisfaction with his squad’s preparation was evident: “I am happy with the squad. The players worked really hard over the last couple of weeks to get ready for this competition and I am happy for them; they are determined to do well and start the qualification process on a good note. We prepared well and we are ready for this unique challenge.”
With momentum, motivation and a debutant desperate to make her mark, the Springbok Women’s Sevens head to Nairobi loaded with intent. For Windvogel, the dream is within touching distance. For her teammates, redemption against Spain beckons.
