The Springbok Women’s Sevens team made history by winning the World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series tournament in Stellenbosch, South Africa. The group emerged as champions after beating Belgium 17-10 in a hard-fought final match.
Undefeated in the Tournament
The South Africans were undefeated in the tournament and secured their place in the final after a 5-0 victory against China earlier on the same day. In the semi-finals, the South Africans narrowly beat China 5-0, while Belgium defeated Poland to secure their place in the final.
A Hard-Fought Final
The South Africans had an early setback in the final, allowing the Belgians to take the lead with tries from Nele Pien and Emilie Musch within the first four minutes. However, Ayanda Malinga scored a try just before the break, reducing the deficit to 10-5. In the second half, the South African team regained their confidence, played most of the half in Belgium’s territory, defended well, and capitalized on their opponent’s mistakes. Nadine Roos put the team ahead with a converted try from a sniping run off the back of an attacking scrum in the 12th minute. Marlize de Bruin’s five-pointer from a turnover sealed the win for the South African team two minutes later. The final score was 17-10 in favor of the Springbok Women’s Sevens team.
Grit and Determination
The Springbok Women’s Sevens team showed grit and determination in winning the first-ever World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series tournament. The team showcased their attacking prowess and defensive capabilities, and their success is a testament to their efforts and hard work.
Setting the Bar High
They have set the bar high for future tournaments and have made their nation proud. The win is an important milestone for women’s rugby in South Africa and marks a positive step towards gender equality in the sport. With their historic victory, the Springbok Women’s Sevens team has shown that they are a force to be reckoned with and will undoubtedly inspire future generations of female rugby players.
