Springbok Women's Sevens are Queens of Africa again

The Springbok Women's Sevens team overcame Kenya 19-10 in a hard-fought final of the Rugby Africa Women's Sevens in Ghana on Sunday to retain their continental crown and qualify for the World Rugby Challenger Series to be played next year.

It was a hard-fought win as two Kenya tries, early in each half, twice handed the East Africans the lead, while the Springbok Women also conceded two yellow cards in the final, adding to their problems.

Kenya scored first in the final, played at the University of Ghana's Rugby Stadium in Accra, to take the lead after only two minutes. Not only was this the first points conceded by South Africa but also the first time they trailed in six matches played.

A try by Ayanda Malinga levelled matters but the outside back then conceded a yellow card for a high tackle late in the first half.

Kenya used their numerical advantage at the start of the second half, getting a second try to take the lead again, but the class of the South Africans came through in the end. Felica Jacobs showed her value as impact player with two tries in the last five minutes, with the second, on the buzzer, extending a 12-10 lead to a 19-10 win.

The Bok Women Sevens were slow out of the blocks in their semi-final against Madagascar, with the islanders managing to keep South Africa away from their try line for four minutes. A try by Nadine Roos and another by Mathrin Simmers, following a quick tap penalty, opened up a 14-0 lead at the break.

The second half was one way traffic though. Roos scored twice to claim a hat-trick and two more by Jacobs and Maria Tshiremba pushed the score past 40. Roos converted all six tries.

In their quarter-final clash against Senegal, the South Africans delivered a commanding performance and dominated possession and territory.

They scored eight tries, four in each half, with Malinga, Liske Lategan and Jacobs scoring two apiece. The second try by Jacobs was an absolute gem with two steps of her right foot and good acceleration stunning at least five would be defenders.

It was a mixed bag of emotions for Springbok Women's Sevens coach Renfred Dazel but he praised his troops for the effort, delivered in tough conditions at the University of Ghana Rugby Stadium.

“It was not easy – conditions were tough out there and although we made it look easy at times in some of the pool games, it was far from that,” said Dazel.

“Six of our team were playing in their first Africa Cup and credit to them, they adapted well. We needed to do well here to qualify for the Challenger Series next year, so it was the job done successfully.

“We have now laid the foundation for the rest of the season, going into the Challenger Series next year and then hopefully getting into the World Series play-offs.

“Our squad will change a lot as we have some players that are part of the Springbok Women Rugby World Cup campaign but I confident that this experience here will guide the younger players in our group.”

The players in the training squad that stayed behind in Stellenbosch also had training matches against Belgium on Friday and that will help in selecting a squad that will travel to the Dubai Sevens, where they will play in the International Invitational tournament at the end of the month, without the XVs players, Dazel explained.

Mathrin Simmers, who captained the team in Ghana, said they needed a confidence boost after losing their spot in the HSBC SVNS Series for the new season.

“That was a blow but the fact that we could come here and showed everyone that we are still the champions of Africa was good for our confidence,” said Simmers.

“It also secured our spot for the Challenger Series, so from that perspective, we achieved our goals for the weekend and that is very pleasing for the squad.”

Simmers said their effort against a very capable Kenyan side in the final was commendable: “We did ourselves no favours with the two yellow cards. Kenya is tough enough to play with full numbers and to play them with only six players at times was a tough ask, but we showed great character and endurance. Our defense when we were a player down showed the determination of this squad.”

For the experienced Simmers, a seventh Africa Cup gold medal is still something to cherish.

“Yes, it remains special to win here, and it still means the same as the first time I have won,” she said. “This tournament is a tough one and every win is a special one. We dug deep and deserved this gold medal, so I am very proud today.”

Scores

South Africa 50 (31), Senegal (0)

SA - Tries: Ayanda Malinga (2), Liske Lategan (2), Nadine Roos, Leigh Fortuin, Felicia Jacobs (2), Conversions: Roos (4), Zintle Mpupha.

South Africa 42 (14), Madagascar 0 (0)

SA - Tries: Nadine Roos (3), Mathrin Simmers, Felicia Jacobs, Maria Tshiremba. Conversions: Roos (6).

South Africa 19 (5), Kenya 10 (5)

SA - Tries: Ayanda Malinga, Felicia Jacobs (2). Conversions: Nadine Roos (2).

Kenya - Tries: Stellah Wafula, Sharon Auma.

Selected stats

• The Springbok Women's Sevens scored 18 tries on the first day and 17 on day two, while once conceding only two tries in their six matches played – both in the final.

• Nadine Roos scored 37 points on the opening day and 44 on day two to finish the tournament on 81 points, the leading mark at the tournament.

• The Springbok Women's Sevens, Kenya and Uganda secured qualification for the Challenger Series.