The Springbok Women’s Sevens are under no illusions about the realities of playing in the HSBC SVNS – they are literally taking on the world for survival, according to one of the team’s forwards, Asisipho Plaatjies.
There are familiar comforts in Dubai for the Springbok Sevens team, with the knowledge that a good track record and some passionate support await them at The Sevens Stadium on Saturday and Sunday.
The Investec South African Open is a national treasure, and if anybody understands the value of this icon of South African sport then it’s John Smit, the former captain of another national treasure in the Springboks.
Chelsea captain Reece James has sought out leadership advice from Rugby World Cup-winning captain Siya Kolisi during the recent international break.
Five members of the Rugby World Cup-winning Springbok squad in France – Pieter-Steph du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Siya Kolisi, Frans Malherbe and Damian Willemse – were nominated for the coveted SA Rugby Men’s Player of the Year Award for 2023, with Etzebeth up to defend the title he won last season.
As Alichia Arries jogged off the field at Stade Ernest-Wallon in Toulouse in May last year following the Springbok Women’s Sevens win over Spain in the HSBC France Sevens, the possibilities were endless.
A successful conversion by big Willem Alberts summed up the Vodacom United Rugby Championship weekend from a local perspective as the three South African sides playing at home ran amok against their visitors from Italy, Ireland and Wales.
The injection of Rugby World Cup winning Springboks back into the Hollywoodbets Sharks fold is a major boost for the side ahead of tomorrow’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship clash with the Dragons RFC at Hollywoodbets Kings Park.
After last weekend’s ignominious record of zero from four, the South African sides will be hard pressed on getting back to winning ways in the sixth round of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship this weekend.
Springbok Sevens head coach Sandile Ngcobo will not travel with the team to Dubai for the 2024 HSBC SVNS opener due to medical reasons, with assistant coach Philip Snyman taking over the main coaching responsibilities.