In a thrilling and hard-fought contest, the Springbok Women’s Sevens secured their long-awaited Olympic dream by winning the Rugby Africa Women’s Sevens Olympic Qualifier in Tunisia on Sunday. The victory not only marked their ticket to the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris but also stood as a testament to their unwavering determination and teamwork.
The team, coached by Renfred Dazel, displayed exceptional resilience throughout the tournament. In the final showdown, they overcame Kenya by a score of 12-7, following a dominant 31-0 victory over Zambia in the semi-finals. Coach Dazel expressed his profound gratitude to his players, saying, “I feel so happy for the players who worked so hard to achieve this – we were denied in 2016 and 2020, but this time it is official, and it’s such a great feeling.”
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Dazel acknowledged that Kenya was a formidable opponent and emphasized the importance of a strong defense. He praised his team’s exceptional performance in the first half and their ability to stage a remarkable comeback in the second half. This win, following their earlier triumph in the Challenger Series, will undoubtedly elevate the profile of Springbok Women’s Sevens and create more opportunities for women in rugby.
Rights Mkhari, one of the team’s co-captains, expressed the team’s immense pride and unity in the face of adversity. She stated, “We had to dig deep and fight hard, and that is a great feeling. We are emotional and proud right now. No one gave up, we kept pushing and playing for the teammate next to you. In the end, that was the difference, and we scored when it mattered.” Mkhari believes that this victory will inspire youth and encourage more girls to take up rugby.
Nadine Roos, who had been denied the Olympic opportunity in 2020, expressed relief and satisfaction at having secured their place in Paris next year. She said, “The dream came true, and what makes it even better is the fact that our hard work over months was rewarded today.” Roos agreed that the win would contribute to the growth of women’s rugby in South Africa, adding, “We want to be role models and pace-setters for others to follow, and this win shows us that we are on the right track.”
The Springbok Women’s Sevens team’s remarkable victory has far-reaching implications for women’s rugby in South Africa. It not only serves as a source of inspiration but also highlights the potential for growth and development in the sport. As the team celebrates their success and begins to prepare for the next challenge, the World Series, one thing is clear: the future of women’s rugby in South Africa looks incredibly bright.
Scorers: South Africa 31 (21), Zambia 0 (0)
- SA – Tries: Rights Mkhari, Nadine Roos (3), Ayanda Malinga, Maria Tshiremba. Conversions: Roos (3).
South Africa 12 (5), Kenya 7 (0)
- SA – Tries: Nadine Roos, Maria Tshiremba. Conversion: Roos.
- Kenya – Try: Sharon Auma. Conversion: Grace Okulu.
