Springbok Women’s Sevens Book Their Tickets to Los Angeles
The Springbok Women Sevens have qualified for the HSBC SVNS Playoff in Los Angeles with three from three pool victories in the final World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger tournament on a very cold day in Krakow, Poland, on Friday, 11 April, 2025.
First up, Maria Tshiremba’s second half brace set up a convincing 29-10 victory over Poland in front of a lively home crowd, before Ayanda Malinga scored a hat-trick in their emphatic 45-0 victory over Czechia.
South Africa then outplayed Argentina 22-0 in their final pool match to remain undefeated in the tournament, and top the Pool B standings at the end of Day 1 of the third phase of the Challenger Series, ahead of the fourth and final of the HSBC Sevens Qualifier tournament, in Los Angeles in the USA, from 3 to 4 May, 2025.
Kenya remains on top of the overall Challenger Series standings after their back-to-back title wins in the first two phases in Cape Town, but suffered an unexpected 12 -28 loss to Pool B leaders Thailand Women in their second Pool A, running out 12-nil victors against Belgium and 12-7 champs over Colombia to finish second in Pool B’s standings, ahead of Saturday’s ties in Krakow.
The South Africans were in control for most of the match against Poland and made the most of errors by their opponents, although they will not be completely happy with the hosts’ second try at the end of the first half. Despite this mini-slump, Renfred Dazel’s team stepped up a gear after the break to add three tries to their two from the first half for a solid win.
The match started with a mistake by Poland from the kick-off, and Malinga didn’t need a second invitation to score the first try of the match after only 17 seconds. Three minutes later, following another Polish mistake, Mathrin Simmers went over and with Nadine Roos again adding the conversion, the South Africans were up 14-0.
Poland had their first real opportunity in the fifth minute and they showed great patience on attack, with Oliwia Krysiak going over in the left corner. After the hooter, South Africa missed a lineout throw and a few tackles before Anna Klichowska went over in the same corner to make it 14-10 at the break.
That was Poland’s last action on the scoreboard though as Tshiremba scored from the restart, punishing yet another mistake by the home team. After the Polish side were shown a yellow card for a cynical foul, the ball was quickly sent wide to the SA speedster for her second try, which increased their lead to 10 points.
They didn’t stop playing when the full-time hooter went and Patience Mokone could celebrate her first try in green and gold on debut for the Bok Women Sevens team.
It was more of the same against Czechia, with Malinga crossing for her first try inside the first minute. Roos and Kemisetso Baloyi also added their names to the score sheet with well-taken tries and with the Bok Women’s playmaker converting all three, South Africa led by 21-0 at the break.
They added four more tries in the second half, with Roos continuing to dominate and deservedly scoring her second try, before Malinga and Shiniqwa Lamprecht heaped more misery on their European opponents.
Malinga had the final say as she scored her hat-trick try at the death of a match in which the South Africans not only attacked with vigour and flair, but also defended extremely well to blank the Czechians.
Against the South Americans, Zintle Mpupha scored the opener after three minutes. Argentina had the early possession, but good defence forced them into handling errors, allowing their opponents to get their hands on the ball. Mathrin Simmers ran well and from resulting play, Mpupha stepped inside her defender for the first try of the match.
The South Africans were as guilty as their opponents with regard to handling errors, but ultimately their defence proved the difference in a frantic first half, where no further points were added.
The second half started on a much more positive note for the women in green and gold as Roos ghosted past two defenders to score under the poles. Her conversion was good and the lead 12-0.
Roos then won a crucial turn-over 20m from the Argentinean line and the ball was moved wide where Vianca Boer finished the move with a try in the corner, the first for the former Leopards player in the green and gold.
Roos scored a second, this time after a brilliant blind side break, with the Los Pumitas player lucky to not be carded for a late tackle on the SA playmaker after she had already dotted down.
South Africa await their first championship title tie against Kenya at 13h34 (CAT) on Saturday afternoon, and the winner of that match will go up against the victors in the Krakow Pool A Day 1 leaders Thailand vs Argentina knockout match, all in pursuit of the final title in the Challenger tournament before it is arrives in Los Angeles, with action there starting on 3 May, 2025.
South African Results of the World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger Final Tournament in Krakow, Poland, on Friday, 11 April, 2025
South Africa 29 (14) — Poland 10 (10)
South Africa – Tries: Ayanda Malinga, Mathrin Simmers, Maria Tshiremba (2), Patience Mokone
Conversions: Nadine Roos (2)
Poland – Tries: Oliwia Krysiak, Anna Klichowska
South Africa 45 (21) — Czechia 0
South Africa – Tries: Ayanda Malinga (3), Nadine Roos (2), Kemisetso Baloyi, Shiniqwa Lamprecht
Conversions: Roos (5)
South Africa 22 (5) — Argentina 0
South Africa – Tries: Zintle Mpupha, Vianca Boer, Nadine Roos (2)
Conversion: Roos
SA Knockout Round Fixture on Saturday, 12 April
13h34: Kenya
All matches live on RugbyPass.tv
The Springbok Women’s Sevens Squad
Rights Mkhari
Zandile Masuku
Kemisetso Baloyi
Kyla de Vries
Zintle Mpupha
Shiniqwa Lamprecht
Mathrin Simmers (captain)
Vianca Boer
Nadine Roos
Ayanda Malinga
Maria Tshiremba
Patience Mokone
HSBCSevens Challenger Series Pools
A: Belgium, Colombia, Kenya, Thailand
B: Argentina, Czechia, Poland, South Africa
Original Copy: SA Rugby, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: The Springbok Women Sevens have qualified for the HSBC SVNS Playoff in Los Angeles with three from three pool victories in the final World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger tournament on a very cold day in Krakow, Poland, on Friday, 11 April, 2025. All Photos: World Rugby
Photo 2 Caption: SA skipper Mathrin Simmers on her way to dotting down a scintillating try. SA started with a convincing victory over Poland and an emphatic victory over Czechia, before outplaying Argentina to remain undefeated.
Photo 3 Caption: Challenger log leaders Kenya suffered a loss to Pool B leaders Thailand, but beat Belgium and Colombia to qualify for Los Angeles.
Crédito: Link de origem