South Africa’s Women’s Sevens moved up to the second place on the World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger log, despite a 17-0 defeat to Kenya in the final of the second tournament at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town.
South Africa, who finished third in the opening leg, are on 34 points, with the Kenyans, who defended their title from last weekend, at the top on 40 points. Argentina and Colombia are third and fourth respectively with 30 points.
South Africa lost Zintle Mpupha due to suspension for a high tackle in the semi-final, and made six handling errors when the final pass was delivered, with both wingers, Maria Tshiremba and Ayanda Malinga, not on song.
Kenya, on the other hand, remained patient with ball in hand and pounced when it mattered. They scored tries on either side of the break and nailed the coffin shut with a converted try with just under two minutes to play.
To compound matters for the home side, they lost Kayla Swarts with injury near the end of the match.
Earlier, South Africa had booked their spot in the final with a 21-15 victory over Czechia in the first semi-final.
The South Africans had the worst possible start, conceding two yellow cards – to Leigh Fortuin and Mathrin Simmers – in the opening exchanges, which allowed the Czechs to take a 10-0 lead.
Once they were back to seven players, the hosts hit their straps, with Maria Tshiremba scoring twice late in the first half, with Nadine Roos adding the extras to give South Africa a 14-10 lead at the break.
Roos scored shortly after the break with a great run up the middle of the field, adding the conversion to make it 21-10.
However, more disciplinary issues followed when Kemisetso Baloyi and Zintle Mpupha were also yellow carded in quick succession, leaving South Africa with only five players.
Czechia used this numerical advantage well and scored their third try, again unconverted, to make it 21-15 and leave the local fans on the edge of their seats.
