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 São 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.
They also enter this weekend’s action without any travel dramas, having settled in Sao Paulo on Monday – a far cry from the previous week when they only arrived in Montevideo halfway through the week, suffering from long-haul jetlag and a different time zone.
That is according to playmaker and pivot Byrhandré Dolf, who is predicting a more fluent start to their tournament than last week against Spain, when the South Africans conceded three tries in seven minutes before they regained composure with two second-half tries, which wasn’t enough to prevent a 15-14 defeat.
The Bok Women will again start against Spain, and Dolf is confident of getting their weekend going with a solid performance.
“We had much more time to do analysis of last weekend’s games and to iron out small gremlins on the training field, something we certainly did not have time for last week,” she said.
“Each player had a good look at their individual performances and how the team functioned under pressure, and that made it much easier going into this weekend.
“We could also get a good look at our opponents and will be ready for what they bring.”
Dolf said the confirmed World Championship qualification meant a lot to the team: “We are stress-free now; we know where we are heading, and that was what we worked for.
“We can also use this weekend to prepare ourselves for the World Championship, where the standards will be higher. Another tournament under the belt also means we will be better as a squad and more cohesive in our performance.”
For her, the motivation this weekend will be to play at the standards they know they are capable of. Much of that will come from Dolf’s guidance, especially on attack.
“I am growing as a player, and the work-ons will never stop,” said Dolf. “I am looking forward to this weekend as this is another opportunity where we can play as a team; we are stronger together, after all.”
The team’s leading try-scorer, Maria Tshiremba, will not be in action, though, as she is rested due to a niggle.
Springbok Women's Sevens squad for Sao Paulo:
#2 Asisipho Plaatjies
#3 Patience Mokone
#9 Nadine Roos (captain)
#10 Byrhandré Dolf
#12 Liske Lategan
#14 Simamkele Namba
#16 Shiniqwa Lamprecht
#19 Shanidiné Bezuidenhout
#20 Catha Jacobs
#23 Ayanda Malinga
#26 Lerato Makua
#27 Maceala Samboya (uncapped)
#28 Shannon-Lee Windvogel
Springbok Women’s Sevens fixtures (SA times, all matches live on SuperSport):
Saturday, 28 March
16h06: Spain
19h18: Kenya
22h49: Brazil
Sunday, 29 March
17h28: Argentina
20h18: China
