The official log after the first of two World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series tournaments makes for good reading for the Springbok Women’s Sevens team and their supporters, with the South African side topping the women’s standings.
Springbok captain Siya Kolisi could miss the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France after suffering a knee injury during the Cell C Sharks' clash against Munster in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship this past weekend.
The Springbok Women’s Sevens have been dealt a blow with the news that Marlize de Bruin (centre) has been ruled out of the second World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series tournament, to be played at Markötter Stadium in Stellenbosch from 28-30 April, due to an ankle injury.
The DHL Stormers will host the Vodacom Bulls in Cape Town and the Cell C Sharks will travel to Dublin to face Leinster in their Vodacom United Rugby Championship playoffs in two weekends’ time following the confirmation of the eight quarter-finalists as the league phase of the competition came to a close on Saturday.
Springbok Women’s Sevens coach Renfred Dazel praised the defensive resilience and character of his team as two of the main factors that helped them to win the first of two World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series tournaments in Stellenbosch on Saturday.
The Springbok Women’s Sevens team are still unbeaten at the first World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series tournament in Stellenbosch and will face China in the first semi-final on Saturday after they beat Thailand in the quarter-finals.
The experienced Lumumba Currie has joined the SA Rugby Academy squad in Stellenbosch in his capacity as newly-appointed Junior Springbok assistant coach, providing support to Bafana Nhleko with the Under-20 forwards in the programme.
The Springbok Women's Sevens team finished the opening day of the World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series with a strong 36-0 win over Mexico at Markötter Stadium in Stellenbosch, although they had a slow start to Thursday’s action with a 7-7 draw with Czechia.
The Cell C Sharks will look to take the positives they gathered in last week’s Currie Cup match when they travel to Bloemfontein to take on the high-riding Toyota Free State team on Friday.
Former Springbok Ryan Kankowski says he’s optimistic about the future of Springbok rugby and not concerned following the announcement by head coach Jacques Nienaber that he will step down after this year’s Rugby World Cup.