Their abilities on attack and sheer-mindedness on defence will stand the Springbok Women’s Sevens team in good stead at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town on Friday, when the second World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger 2025 tournament kicks off.
That is the belief of Nadine Roos, the leading points scorer, who feels that a strong performance could secure a top of the log finish at the end of the second of two tournaments. The first one, where the Bok Women Sevens placed third, was held last weekend at the same venue.
This time around, the hosts take on Samoa and Poland in Pool C and for Roos and the team, their plans are clear and laid out.
“Samoa is a physical team, but they also have two speedsters that we will have to keep an eye on. They play direct, so we must keep our first time tackles spot-on to stop them from getting momentum.”
“In our reviews we picked up that they tend to be a bit narrow on defence, which will suit us as we want to play an expansive style against them. We want to move them around from side to side.”
World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger 2025 Leading Scorer, Nadine Roos
“In order to do that, we must keep our ball on attack and our passes need to be spot-on. Our focus for now is on this match, as a good start will give us momentum for the rest of the weekend.”
Whereas they have not played Samoa in recent times, South Africa did encounter Poland over the years and have a better idea what to expect from the European side.
“They are also a physical team, but not as much as Samoa and they do play a particular pattern,” said Roos.
“Our aim will be to disrupt that as I don’t believe their Plan B is as strong. Also, I know we have more speed than they do, so our speedsters will have to use every opportunity presented to them.”
On day one last weekend, South Africa did not concede a try and for Roos, that was a sign of the team’s attitude:
“These girls will not stop trying. We chase back and hunt everything down, so I don’t see us changing that habit.”
Roos also believes playing in front of the Athlone Stadium crowd will help ease the fatigue: “Every bit of energy coming off the crowd is a boost to us. We love playing in front of our supporters, so hopefully there will be good numbers in this weekend.”
Roos said they are still aiming for top spot on the log by the end of the second tournament on Saturday.
“We are determined to win this one,” she said. “Who knows what will happen to the other sides in the top four, so we could be in a strong position by the time we travel to Poland for the final tournament of the series.”
World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger 2025 Pools
A: Kenya, Uganda, Belgium
B: Argentina, Czechia, Hong Kong China
C: South Africa, Poland, Samoa
D: Colombia, Thailand, Mexico.
South Africa Schedule for Round 2 of the World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger 2025 at the Athlone Stadium on Friday, 7 March
15h11: Samoa
18h52: Poland
Top Six Teams After Round One
1. Kenya – 20 points
2. Argentina – 18
3. South Africa – 16
4. Colombia – 14
5. Thailand – 12
6. Poland – 10
Leading Scorers After Round One
1. Nadine Roos (South Africa) – 22 points
2. Talia Rodich (Argentina), Maribel Mestra (Colombia) – 20 points
3. Sofia Gonzalez (Argentina) – 17 points
Springbok Women Sevens Squad for the Second Round of the Challenger 2025 Tournament
#1 Leigh Fortuin
#4 Zintle Mpupha
#6 Felicia Jacobs
#7 Maria Tshiremba
#8 Kayla Swarts
#9 Nadine Roos
#10 Mathrin Simmers (captain)
#13 Kemisetso Baloyi
#16 Shiniqwa Lamprecht
#23 Ayanda Malinga
#27 Alicia Willemse
#29 Rights Mkhari
Medal Match Results on Sunday, 2 March
Semi Final 1: Argentina 10 – 5 Colombia
Semi Final 2: South Africa 15 – 19 Kenya
Silver Medal Match: South Africa 29 – 9 Colombia
Cup Final: Kenya 17 – 12 Argentina
Springbok Women’s First Round Results on Saturday, 1 March
South Africa 36 (24), Hong Kong China 0 (0)
South Africa 26 (14), Czechia 0 (0)
Original Copy: SA Rugby Communications, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: The tournament’s top scorer, South Africa’s Nadine Roos. The Springbok Women’s Sevens team are ready to face Samoa and Poland when the second round of the World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger 2025 kicks off at the Athlone Stadium in Cape Town on Friday, 7 March, 2025. All Photos: World Rugby / Zach Franzen Photo
Photo 2 Caption: Mathrin Simmers supported by Kemisetso Baloyi. Captain Simmers will lead the home campaign to top the Challengers Series log this weekend.
Photo 3 Caption: An image to capture a moment of African pride as the Bok Women and Kenya Women honour the moment after Kenya’s win last weekend.
