Cecil Afrika has confirmed his squad of 12 to travel to Dubai for this weekend’s HSBC SVNS 3 tournament, backing his experienced side to deliver when it matters most at the Sevens Stadium.
The Springbok Women’s Sevens coach admits the selection proved challenging, but expresses confidence that his team possesses all the necessary elements for success in the World Rugby Challenger Series standalone event on 17 and 18 January.
South Africa’s women face a straightforward equation: reach Sunday’s final to qualify for SVNS 2, the next stepping stone towards regaining core status on the world series. The team departed for the Middle East on Monday evening with that singular focus driving their preparations.
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“The players sacrificed a lot over the last couple of weeks, training whilst everyone else was seemingly having a break or a good time,” Afrika said of his squad’s efforts at the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport training camp in recent weeks.
“They all know what is at stake, though, and I cannot fault the effort of everyone that was involved. The 12 players selected have to go and do the job on behalf of the whole group and with the experience in the squad, I am confident we have what it takes.”
Afrika has selected the same 12 players who travelled to Kenya two months ago, where they captured the Rugby Africa Women’s Sevens tournament. That victory provided their entry ticket into the Dubai event.
Captain Nadine Roos will again lead the side, whilst key players Zintle Mpupha, Byrhandré Dolf and Ayanda Malinga carry significantly more sevens fitness compared to their Kenya appearance. The trio were recent returnees from the Women’s Rugby World Cup in England at that time.
The intervening two months have also benefitted Simamkele Namba and Liske Lategan, who both returned from long-term injuries for the Kenya tournament.
The South Africans face Mexico, Czechia and Thailand in Pool A on Saturday, whilst Pool B contains Argentina, Colombia, Poland and Samoa. The two finalists on Sunday will secure their places in the three HSBC SVNS 2 tournaments, scheduled for Nairobi (14-15 February), Montevideo (21-22 March) and São Paulo (28-29 March).
Afrika, who assumed coaching responsibilities in November last year, emphasises that his team knows exactly what the challenge demands.
“Our focus is on our standards and processes. We know what we need to do and by keeping our focus, how to get there,” the coach added.
Match Schedule
The Springboks’ Pool A fixtures on Saturday (SA times):
- 09h06: South Africa v Mexico
- 12h22: South Africa v Czechia
- 15h38: South Africa v Thailand
Springbok Women’s Sevens Squad:
#1 Leigh Fortuin, #2 Asisipho Plaatjies, #3 Patience Mokone, #4 Zintle Mpupha, #7 Maria Tshiremba, #9 Nadine Roos (captain), #10 Byrhandré Dolf, #12 Liske Lategan, #14 Simamkele Namba, #15 Vianca Boer, #16 Shiniqwa Lamprecht, #23 Ayanda Malinga
