Sevens ace enjoying move to Springbok Women

Two Tests, four tries – that impressive statistic from Maria Tshiremba has eased any worries about the 30-year-old’s ability to transition from sevens to fifteens and in her own words, the Springbok Women wing is pleased with her progress in international rugby.

Tshiremba made her Test debut in Fiji last month and in spectacular fashion scored a hat-trick of tries to help the Springbok Women close out their Pacific tour with a 2-0 series win.

Last weekend, her try early in the second half of their 50-19 defeat against Wales, did not bring as much joy to Tshiremba, as the result was not reflective of the team’s abilities.

“We did not play to our potential and that was frustrating – in fact, I was quite angry after the game,” Tshiremba said from Udine, where the Bok Women are currently preparing for their second Test on their WXV Global Series tour, against Italy in Pordenone.

The Welsh game is behind them now and Tshiremba is kicking her heels to have a go at the Italians, a team she has never faced: “Most of our players did play against them in the WXV (in Cape Town in 2024) and in the Rugby World Cup in York, where we managed to beat them.

“So as a team, we know what to expect but for me personally, it will be a first. I prefer it like that, to be honest. They don’t know me so I hope to surprise them on Saturday.”

Tshiremba said the transition from sevens to fifteens is much easier than the other way around and she had little difficulty in adjusting her defensive alignment, as an example.

“In sevens, out on the wing and on defence, you are confronted with the same scenarios as in fifteens – where people want you to bite in so that they can create an overlap,” she said.

“So far, it has been going well. Italy loves playing in those wide channels when they attack, so we need to be alert and aligned.”

Her pace should be a real threat on attack and Tshiremba is adamant that she will be looking to find space.

“At times, playing on the wing, there are not much space, so you need to find it, and I believe I will find that space – it’s part of my job,” said Tshiremba.

The need for a good performance after the defeat against Wales is recognised in their squad, hence the urgency in their Tuesday training session, she said: “It was a good session with good clarity and we are preparing well, I am confident we can deliver on the day.”

The match-23 to face Italy will be announced on Thursday.