As if the pressure of making it into the final of the HSBC SVNS 3 tournament in Dubai this weekend is not enough, the Springbok Women’s Sevens team will also face three opponents with very different approaches to the game in Pool A on Saturday.
But for SA coach Cecil Afrika, that added challenge is something they prepared for, and apart from looking at what their opponents will do, their focus will also be inward to execute their style of play.
“It is going to be an interesting pool, as all of Mexico, Czechia, and Thailand have a different playing style and approach to the game,” said Afrika.
“We will focus on our first outing against Mexico to lay a proper foundation, but we also have to be ready for what comes afterwards.
“Mexico is unpredictable in what they do, so they will test us in that regard. They are quick on their feet and play very quickly and often look for inside passes when on the attack. We are looking forward to that first challenge.”
Their next outing, against Czechia, will be a very physical affair, according to Afrika: “They play with a high intensity and the last year, when we played them in Cape Town, they came close to beating us, so they will have that added motivation. They have big, fast players and they will test our defence in a different way than Mexico would have done.”
The SA coach reckons the final pool match against Thailand will be about outsmarting their defence: “They have very good tackle technique and go in low. They are very precise in their structures and love to play with a high intensity as well. Their speed at the breakdown is also worth mentioning, so we need to be ready for that.
“We are really looking forward to this weekend. We prepared well back home in South Africa and this week here in the desert city of Dubai. We know what we need to do and we are ready,” he added.
South Africa needs to make it into the final in order to qualify for the next stage of the Challenger Series, three HSBC SVNS 2 tournaments to be played in Nairobi (14-15 February), Montevideo (21-22 March) and Sao Paulo (28-29 March).
Pool schedule (SA times, all matches on SuperSport channel 951 / Variety 2):
Saturday 17 January:
09h06: Mexico
12h22: Czechia
15h38: Thailand
Springbok Women’s Sevens squad for Dubai:
#1 Leigh Fortuin
#2 Asisipho Plaatjies
#3 Patience Mokone
#4 Zintle Mpupha
#7 Maria Tshiremba
#9 Nadine Roos (captain)
#10 Byrhandré Dolf
#12 Liske Lategan
#14 Simamkele Namba
#15 Vianca Boer
#16 Shiniqwa Lamprecht
#23 Ayanda Malinga