The Springbok Women’s Sevens had to endure some misfortune like illness and travel delays before the start of the HSBC SVNS World Championship tournament in Valladolid but for Zintle Mpupha, who will lead the team out at Estadio Jose Zorrilla on Friday morning, there is a real expectation that they can deliver positive results and improve their log standing in Spain this weekend. The Bok Women are currently 12th out of 12 teams on the log, following a disappointing performanc

Twenty-four teams head to north-west Spain with World Championship glory and a place among next season’s HSBC SVNS elite on the line. The HSBC SVNS World Championship returns for three days of wall-to-wall action in the Spanish city of Valladolid for the first of two crucial back-to-back European weekends to decide who will be crowned this year’s World Champions. Title holders South Africa and New Zealand head the respective men’s and women’s standings following their twin ru

Few in the world of HSBC SVNS will know of Wegdraai, a town in the Northern Cape of South Africa with a population of 2 200 but come next weekend in Spain, those attending the second leg of the World Championship will catch a glimpse of one of the town’s finest exports. There won’t be any sultanas on display from the agricultural village on the banks of the Gariep River a full 11 300km away from Estadio Jose Zorrilla in Valladolid, but rather a new face in Vianca Boer of the

The Springbok Women’s Sevens squad named for the second leg of the HSBC SVNS World Championships have a much more settled look and given the additional time to prepare, Cecil Afrika (head coach) backs his charges for a positive performance next weekend at Estadio Jose Zorrilla in Valladolid. The South Africans suffered a rash of injuries before the first leg of the World Championship, in Hong Kong last month and with limited time to prepare for that event, finished 12th out o

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 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