Springbok Women’s Sevens points machine Nadine Roos dotted down for two tries and slotted six conversions as South Africa played out clean sweeps against Hong Kong China and Czechia on day 1 of the World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger 2025 at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town, on Saturday, 1 March, 2025.
With their outstanding results, South Africa top Pool A and qualify for the Series Cup second semi-final in which they will face African foes Pool D leaders Kenya at 15h18 on later today, following after the first semi-final between Pool B’s Argentina and Pool C’s Colombia, scheduled for 14h56.
South Africa’s two victories came in commanding fashion, with the Bok Women finding good early form, which bodes well for the big dance on Sunday.
In their opening match, the Springbok Women’s Sevens team started like a house on fire, playing with pace and precision. They scored early when Ayanda Malinga stepped into space and when Maria Tshiremba scored a minute later, the home side were 12-0 up in no time.
Another Tshiremba try earned her a brace, while Shiniqwa Lamprecht also carried a couple of defenders over the line to score her first try for the team.
Leading 24-0 at the break, SA coach Renfred Dazel made early changes off the bench and both Kayla Swarts and Alicia Willemse made their debuts in green and gold.
Nadine Roos used her pace to secure a fifth try, while Felicia Jacobs also dotted down before the final hooter.
Tshiremba opened the scoring against Czechia with a great burst of speed down the line, beating her opponent with pace down the left-hand side. Malinga then finished a great move with a run down the other side of the field to extend the host team’s lead to 12-0.
Adding to their attacking strengths, the defensive pressure by South Africa forced Czechia into mistakes and they conceded several penalties at the breakdown. They conceded a yellow card for a high tackle as well and Roos ran 50m to score after Mathrin Simmers switched play to the blind side.
The momentum was all South Africa’s and after a quick tap penalty, Jacobs quick tapped and scored, with Roos converted for a 26-0 win.
The match against Kenya will be a fiercely contested affair, according to Zintle Mpupha: “They are a good side and they always demand the best from us in any game we play and tomorrow will be no different. We will have to bring our best tomorrow.”
Results at the Challenger Series in Athlone, Cape Town, on Saturday, 1 March, 2025
South Africa 36 (24), Hong Kong China 0 (0)
South Africa
Tries: Ayanda Malinga, Maria Tshiremba (2), Shiniqwa Lamprecht, Nadine Roos, Felicia Jacobs
Conversions: Roos (3)
South Africa 26 (14), Czechia 0 (0)
South Africa
Tries: Maria Tshiremba, Ayanda Malinga, Nadine Roos, Felicia Jacobs
Conversions: Roos (3)
Springbok Women’s Sevens Challenger Series Fixtures on Sunday, 2 March
14h56 – Semi Final 1: Argentina vs Colombia
15h18 – Semi Final 2: South Africa vs Kenya
18h56 – Silver Medal Match: TBC vs TBC
19h54 – Cup Final: TBC vs TBC
2025 World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger Pool Standings after Day 1
Pool A
South Africa – 6 pts
Czechia – 3 pts
Hong Kong China – 1 pt
Pool B
Argentina – 6 pts
Thailand – 3 pts
Mexico – 0 pts
Pool C
Colombia – 6 pts
Uganda – 3 pts
Belgium – 1 pt
Pool D
Kenya – 6 pts
Poland – 3 pts
Samoa – 0 pts
Springbok Women Sevens Squad for the Opening Tournament of the Challenger Series
Leigh Fortuin
Zintle Mpupha
Felicia Jacobs
Maria Tshiremba
Kayla Swarts
Nadine Roos
Mathrin Simmers (captain)
Kemisetso Baloyi
Shiniqwa Lamprecht
Ayanda Malinga
Alicia Willemse
Rights Mkhari
Original Copy: SA Rugby Communications, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: Springbok Women’s Sevens points machine Nadine Roos dotted down for two tries before adding six conversions in South Africa’s clean sweeps of Hong Kong China and Czechia on day 1 of the World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger 2025, to qualify for Sunday’s semi-finals to be played at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town, on Saturday, 1 March, 2025. Photo: World Rugby / Zach Franzen Photo
