Springbok Women Sevens ace Nadine Roos scores a try during Saturday's play at the Sevens Challenger Series in the Athlone Stadium in Cape Town. Photo: Zach Franzen / World Rugby
Image: Zach Franzen / World Rugby
The Springbok Women’s Sevens got their Challenger Series 2025 campaign off to the perfect start on Saturday with a 36-0 win over Hong Kong China at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town followed by a 26-0 win over Czechia.
A meeting with fellow African side Kenya is on the cards for Sunday afternoon (3.18pm start) in one of the two semi-finals of the tournament.
The South Africans were ruthless in their pool matches and laid the perfect platform for the rest of the campaign.
Skipper Mathrin Simmers put Ayanda Malinga in for the opening try of the tournament for the home side in the second minute against Hong Kong China. Maria Tshiremba made it two after a great run by Nadine Roos on the wing two minutes later. Tshiremba then fended off a tackle to score her brace.
Shiniqwa Lamprecht powered over despite the attentions of defenders with halftime looming. The try was set up by a barnstorming run by Tshiremba, who was hauled in close to the tryline. Utility back Roos showed great gas and a wicked step to sprint over in the second half, while Felicia Jacobs also got on the scoresheet after a great tackle by debutant Kayla Swarts.
Tshiremba opened the scoring against Czechia with a great burst of speed down the line. Malinga then finished a great move to extend the host team’s lead to 12-0.
Roos ran 50m to score after Simmers switched play smartly. After a quick tap penalty, Jacobs scored, with Roos converting for the 26-0 win. The South Africans had just too much pace and power for their rivals.
"The girls came out and showed heart out there," veteran SA forward Zintle Mpupha said afterwards.
"It's the first two games, and clean sheets, I think that we put a lot of pride in wearing the Springbok on our chest and I can't fault the effort that we put out there. It's not easy and I'm just proud of the girls for defending the tryline in two games. It is definitely tough conditions with the gusty wind. You have to time your pass into the wind or against the wind as well.
"It was a test for our wings, catching the high balls like that and once again, running against the wind. It's just something that we can't control but we definitely can control our skills and we did that very well today.
"Going forward we'll just keep on shining on our soil."
The South Africans booked their place in Sunday's semi-final against African rivals Kenya. Mphupha labelled it the "final before the final".
"We take the game as it comes. But we're looking up for the challenge. Day One is gone and we go on to Day Two, game one and we focus on it. I am very proud of the African countries and the fact that we're going through to the semis means a lot to us. We'll just keep on fighting the battles as we keep the African flag flying high as well."
The other semifinal is between Argentina and Colombia (2.56 pm start).
The South Africans are trying to regain their core SVNS Series status via the Challenger Series.
Scorers:
South Africa 36 (24), Hong Kong China 0 (0)
South Africa - Tries: Ayanda Malinga, Maria Tshiremba (2), Shiniqwa Lamprecht, Nadine Roos, Felicia Jacobs. Conversions: Roos (3).
South Africa 26 (14), Czechia 0 (0)
South Africa - Tries: Maria Tshiremba, Ayanda Malinga, Nadine Roos, Felicia Jacobs. Conversions: Roos (3).
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