Mission accomplished. The Springbok Women’s Sevens have booked their place at the HSBC SVNS World Championship after another gutsy performance in Montevideo saw them claim silver at HSBC SVNS 2 on Sunday, rubber-stamping a top-four finish in the overall series standings with a tournament still to play in Brazil next weekend.
Despite falling 22-10 to hosts Argentina in a pulsating final at Estadio Charrua, Cecil Afrika’s charges achieved exactly what they came to Uruguay to do, secure one of the four coveted spots for the three-leg World Championship extravaganza that will unfold across Hong Kong, Valladolid and Bordeaux in the coming months.
The Bok Women’s consistency proved the difference. Their second runner-up finish in as many tournaments, mirroring their performance in Kenya a month ago, meant they join Argentina in confirming their World Championship berths with a round still remaining.
Final heartbreak but ultimate triumph
The championship decider started like a dream for South Africa. Straight from the kick-off, Lerato Makua pounced on a fumbled reception by the Argentineans to dot down and hand the visitors a 5-0 cushion. But the South Americans, roared on by their home support, hit back immediately with a long-range converted effort to edge ahead 7-5.
The lead changed hands again when Maria Tshiremba showcased her blistering pace. A wayward clearance kick fell perfectly into her path, and the fleet-footed winger burned down the touchline to score in the corner, giving South Africa a slender 10-7 advantage at the interval.
Argentina owned the second stanza. They exploited the blindside when the Bok defence switched off momentarily, before capitalising on a crucial turnover when a solid tackle dislodged the ball from captain Nadine Roos. The resulting breakaway try effectively sealed the contest, with the hosts running out 22-10 victors.
Yet for Afrika, Roos and their squad, the scoreline mattered little. They had already banked enough points from the opening two legs to guarantee their World Championship ticket – and that was always the objective.
Kenya brushed aside in statement victory
Earlier on Sunday, the Springbok Women delivered a ruthless semi-final performance against continental rivals Kenya, running in five unanswered tries for a comprehensive 27-0 triumph – their third consecutive clean sheet in Uruguay.
Tshiremba opened the account with another piece of individual brilliance. From a scrum, the ball was shifted wide to the speedster, who finished sublimely in the corner to add yet another spectacular effort to her growing highlights reel.
Byrhandré Dolf extended the lead just before the break, ghosting through on the blindside from a scrum as the Kenyans were caught ball-watching.
South Africa’s defensive structure suffocated their East African opponents, denying them any meaningful possession in threatening areas. That stranglehold continued after the restart.
Dolf grabbed her second before Patience Mokone put the result beyond doubt with a quickfire double in the space of two minutes. Both times, the powerful runner shrugged off desperate tacklers to power over the whitewash, confirming South Africa’s status as the continent’s top nation.
What it means
The Springbok Women’s Sevens have delivered on their primary objective for the season. With top-four finishes in both Kenya and Uruguay, they’ve secured their place among the elite at the World Championship, joining Argentina and two other qualifiers.
One tournament remains in Brazil next weekend, but the pressure is off. Afrika’s side can now use that leg as preparation for the showpiece events ahead, fine-tuning their combinations and building momentum.
For a squad that has shown remarkable consistency ,three clean sheets in Uruguay alone, the World Championship beckons as an opportunity to prove they belong among the world’s best. Hong Kong, Valladolid and Bordeaux await. The Bok Women are coming.
