They arrived in Hong Kong as the 11th-ranked team out of 12, had some misfortunes on the injury front and four players who will experience the intensity of the world stage for the first time but if you asked Ayanda Malinga, you write off the Springbok Women’s Sevens at your own peril. The hard-running wing, who has scored 14 tries in eight tournaments at this level, said the absence of regular captain, Nadine Roos, and experienced players like Liske Lategan and Simamkele Namb

The start of their journeys to make their Springbok Women’s Sevens debuts, at the HSBC SVNS World Championship, could not have been more different but for Owami Mohuli and Jane Mulder, their destination was the same – the Kai Tak Sports Park in Hong Kong. Mohuli (19) and Mulder (20) will hold no fear or favour in Hong Kong on Friday, shared by a firm desire to deliver their best effort, knowing that a sound performance for their country could ease the way for their age-group

Half a century since the tournament's inception in 1976, Hong Kong remains the heartbeat of international sevens rugby. This year's edition marks not only a golden anniversary but the start of a three-tournament World Championship race that will crown the sport's ultimate champions in 2026. The historic tournament has transitioned from its original home at Hong Kong Stadium to the state-of-the-art Kai Tak Stadium, ushering in a new chapter for sevens in Hong Kong while honour

Two familiar Springbok Women’s Sevens players have been recalled to the squad for the first HSBC SVNS World Championship tournament, to be played in Hong Kong next weekend. Zintle Mpupha and Eloise Webb, who played for the Isuzu Bulls Daisies and Sanlam Boland Dames in last weekend’s Pick n Pay Women’s Super League 1 final in Pretoria, return to the shorter version of the game as SA coach Cecil Afrika named his squad for the trip to the Far East. Mpupha played for the nationa

Expect the Springbok Women’s Sevens to play with an abundance of flair and freedom when the final HSBC SVNS 2 tournament kicks off at Estadio Nicolau Alayon in Sao Paulo on Saturday. And big smiles on their faces in the third and final event of the series, as they have already guaranteed a ticket to the big dance, the three-tournament HSBC World Rugby Championship. The also enter this weekend’s action without any travel dramas, having settled in Sao Paulo on Monday – a far cr

The stage is set for a thrilling conclusion to the inaugural HSBC SVNS 2 Series as the final leg arrives in Sao Paulo this weekend, with the race for World Championship qualification reaching its climax. Taking place on Saturday and Sunday at the Estadio Nicolau Alayon, the Brazilian stop marks the third and decisive round of the competition, following action-packed tournaments in Nairobi and Montevideo. With just one round remaining, everything is still to play for as teams

Having qualified for the HSBC SVNS World Championship series with one tournament left to play was a huge relief to the Springbok Women’s Sevens squad but according to Maria Tshiremba, they are not done and still want to win this weekend when the final HSBC SVNS 2 tournament takes place in Estadio Nicolau Alayon in Sao Paulo. Tshiremba, who has scored 11 tries in the three qualifying events prior to the Brazil finale, in Dubai (HSBC SVNS 3), Nairobi and Montevideo, said the Wo

The Springbok Women's Sevens qualified for the HSBC SVNS World Championship by finishing in second place of HSBC SVNS 2 in Montevideo on Sunday, confirming a top four finish in the overall series with a tournament left to play, in Brazil next weekend. With the top four sides gaining entry into the three tournament World Championship, the Bok Women’s second placing in Uruguay, like they did in Kenya a month ago, means they will finish in the top four alongside Argentina, who d

The HSBC SVNS 2 Series swings back into action this weekend in the Uruguayan capital Montevideo for the first of two crucial back-to-back weekends in South America to decide which sides will head to the HSBC SVNS World Championship Series. Following their heroics in February’s opening round of the HSBC SVNS 2 Series in Nairobi, Argentina’s women and Germany’s men lead the way in the race to qualify for the competitions in Hong Kong, Valladolid and Bordeaux in April, May and J

It started with a social touch rugby event in 2023, followed by an invite to try sevens with a club team in Hermanus, where amongst others, the Springbok Women’s Sevens also played in an invitational tournament and that resulted in a brief call-up to train with them in Stellenbosch. In a blink, Maceala Samboya was snapped up by the Sanlam Boland Dames and some impressive performances later, she was named in the Springbok Women’s team, making her Test debut aged 23 in Hermanus

Maceala Samboya and Shanidiné Bezuidenhout are in line to make their Springbok Women’s Sevens debuts later this month when the final two HSBC SVNS 2 tournaments take place in Uruguay and Brazil after SA coach Cecil Afrika confirmed a group of 14 players to travel to South America on Sunday. The tournaments will be played in Montevideo (21-22 March) and São Paulo (28-29 March). Afrika also recalled the experienced Catha Jacobs, who made her debut in 2019, to the squad, which w

Expect the Springbok Sevens to bounce back to a potential podium finish in Perth this weekend, where the fourth leg of the tightly contested 2026 HSBC SVNS takes place at HBF Park. That is the view of Blitzbok head coach Philip Snyman, who was satisfied with their week’s preparation since arriving in Western Australia on Monday. Snyman also decided to tweak the team, bringing in the uncapped Renaldo Young, with the dual-contracted Sanlam Boland Kavaliers wing replacing Nabo S

It is rugby and not chess but Springbok Sevens head coach Philip Snyman stressed the importance of making the right moves at the right time in the National Stadium this weekend, when the Blitzboks face Spain, Great Britain and Fiji in Pool A of the HSBC SVNS Singapore. Snyman will have his strategies tested against three very different opponents with a squad that is low on experience or recent happy memories at this event, the third in the 2026 world series. The Blitzboks wil

The new-look HSBC SVNS Series arrives in Singapore this weekend for the third round of the season, with all 16 teams across the men’s and women’s competitions vying for crucial league points ahead of the three-tournament Championship later this year. Team captains arrived at the National Stadium today to launch the tournament ahead of what promises to be an action-packed weekend of sevens rugby. Fans can look forward to a vibrant festival atmosphere, complete with family-frie

It remains a massive privilege and something very special to represent South Africa on the HSBC SVNS series and this weekend in Singapore will be no different for Blitzbok captain Siviwe Soyizwapi. Although he could become the record holder for most tries ever in the National Stadium in his ninth appearance at the venue, Soyizwapi is not planning to chase that milestone but would rather make sure the Springbok Sevens are in tune with the game plan and execution. Soyizwapi mak

The normal challenges at the HSBC SVNS Singapore are well documented – and accepted – by the Springbok Sevens side as they arrived in the Asian city on Tuesday but according to Blitzbok assistant coach Renfred Dazel, success will be determined by their ability to handle the unexpected hurdles in the Singapore National Stadium. The Blitzboks landed in humid Singapore in hot form, having won the previous HSBC SVNS tournament (in Cape Town in December) and topping the log after

They had the absolute high of winning their home tournament in Cape Town last month but that ship has sailed and for the Springbok Sevens team this weekend’s HSBC SVNS Singapore will represent a fresh challenge. And they will be ready for it. That was the view of Blitzbok forward Zander Reynders, who departed with the rest of the squad from Cape Town earlier on Monday for the long haul to Asia. The Blitzboks will face Great Britain, Spain and Fiji in pool play in the National

Two uncapped players and the return of their most experienced squad member highlight the travelling group of 14 players named by the Springbok Sevens head coach Philip Snyman for next weekend’s HSBC SVNS Singapore. Luan Giliomee and Ronaldo Young could earn first caps in the Singapore National Stadium, while Sebastiaan Jobb is back in the squad, having last played for the Blitzboks in Singapore in April last year. Siviwe Soyizwapi will make a welcome return to the squad, havi