The Springbok Women’s Sevens were crowned champions of the inaugural HSBC SVNS 3 tournament in Dubai on Sunday after they beat Argentina by 12-5 in a tightly-contested final at the Sevens Stadium in Dubai on Sunday, 18 January, 2026
The victory also underlined their undefeated status at the Sevens Stadium, where the South Africans won all five of their matches this weekend.
Victory in their semi-final over Poland earlier on Sunday also meant the Bok Women qualified for the HSBC SVNS 2 series, which will be played in Nairobi (14-15 February), Montevideo (21-22 March) and São Paulo (28-29 March).
South Africa started slow against Argentina. They kept the South Americans at bay with strong early defence but did not quite show the same prowess on attack, where they failed to finish some of the opportunities created. In fact, it was Argentina who scored the only try in the first half to lead 5-0 at the break.
The second half was another arm wrestle, but the South African attack was starting to cause their opponents problems, with a try by Zintle Mpupha three minutes from time levelling the scores at 5-5.
Patience Mokone then scored with a minute to go and the conversion by Nadine Roos sealed the deal for South Africa, although they still had to fight off a last desperate Argentina attack before the final whistle.
They also started slowly against Poland in the semi-final earlier in the day. An early try by Roos, when she broke away from a strong scrum by her team, had them ahead, but some slow reactions at a ruck resulted in Poland grabbing the incentive back, with Martyna Wardaszka scoring.
Poland had some momentum now, but good defence and a lovely try by Tshiremba returned the momentum to the Bok Women, who held a 12-5 lead at the break.
The second half belonged to South Africa. Tshiremba, Ayanda Malinga and Patience Mokone all scored when space was created on the outside, while Mpupha added the final try down route one following a quick penalty.
HSBC SVNS 3 Final on Sunday, 18 January
South Africa 12 (0) — 5 (5) Argentina
HSBC SVNS 3 Semi-Finals on Sunday, 18 January
South Africa 36 (12) — 5 (5) Poland
Argentina 22 (10) — 12 (7) Czechia
HSBC SVNS 3 Day 2 Scorers (SA Matches)
South Africa 12 (0) — 5 (5) Argentina
SA – Tries: Zintle Mpupha, Patience Mokone
Conversion: Nadine Roos
South Africa 36 (12) — 5 (5) Poland
SA – Tries: Nadine Roos, Maria Tshiremba (2), Ayanda Malinga, Patience Mokone, Zintle Mpupha
Conversions: Roos (3)
Poland – Try: Martyna Wardaszka
HSBC SVNS 3 Day 1 South Africa’s Pool A Results on Saturday, 17 January
South Africa 61 (28) — 0 (0) Mexico
South Africa 24 (17) — 5 (5) Czechia
South Africa 33 (21) — 5 (5) Thailand
HSBC SVNS 3 Day 1 Scorers (SA Matches)
South Africa 61 (28) — 0 (0) Mexico
SA – Tries: Maria Tshiremba (4), Vianca Boer, Ayanda Malinga, Patience Mokone (2), Nadine Roos
Conversions: Roos (8)
South Africa 24 (17) — 5 (5) Czechia
SA – Tries: Shiniqwa Lamprecht, Nadine Roos (2), Maria Tshiremba
Conversions: Roos (2)
Czechia – Try: Julie Durychova
South Africa 33 (21) — 5 (5) Thailand
SA – Tries: Leigh Fortuin, Vianca Boer, Shiniqwa Lamprecht, Zintle Mpupha, Ayanda Malinga
Conversions: Roos (3), Byrhandré Dolf
Thailand – Try: Laksina Nawakaew
Springbok Women’s Sevens Squad for the HSBC SVNS 3 Tournament at the Sevens Stadium in 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
Original Copy: SA Rugby Communications, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: The Springbok Women’s Sevens were crowned champions of the inaugural HSBC SVNS 3 tournament in Dubai on Sunday after they beat Argentina by 12-5 in a tightly-contested final at the Sevens Stadium in Dubai on Sunday, 18 January, 2026, All Photos: SA Rugby / Gallo Images
Photo 2 Caption: Maria Tshiremba was the star of the tournament, touching down a total of seven tries in the undefeated South African SVNS campaign.
Photo 3 Caption: Springbok Women’s Sevens skipper Nadine Roos is given the captain’s honours as South African celebrate the tournament win and SVNS 2 qualification.
