A daunting challenge awaits the Springbok Women’s Sevens team in the Rugby Africa Women’s Sevens Cup in Kenya this weekend, but upon their departure to Nairobi, coach Cecil Afrika was at ease due to the mood and mindset of the departing squad.
Springbok Sevens head coach Philip Snyman expressed his satisfaction with the progress of his squad’s HSBC SVNS pre-season preparations on Thursday, as they finished their final condition block before the 2026 season kicks off.
SA Rugby Women’s Player of the Year, Nadine Roos, is amongst the group of 18 players invited to a Springbok Women’s Sevens training camp in Pretoria, where the squad will step-up preparations for the Rugby Africa Women’s Sevens championship in Nairobi, Kenya on 15 and 16 November.
As a Blitzbok, he has won the HSBC SVNS world series, gold at the Commonwealth Games and bronze at the Olympic Games, but for Christie Grobbelaar, an appearance at his home tournament in Cape Town has remained rather elusive.
SA Rugby President Mr Mark Alexander and Springbok Women’s Sevens head coach Renfred Dazel praised the contribution of Mathrin Simmers, South Africa’s most experienced women’s sevens player, after she decided to hang up her boots.
Blitzbok head coach Philip Snyman congratulated the Springbok Sevens ‘A’ squad for their effort and application as they claimed the Rugby Africa Sevens Cup in Port Louis on Sunday.
The players in the Springbok Sevens ‘A’ side understand that personal goals and team objectives will need to combine if they want positive results at the Rugby Africa Sevens in Mauritius this weekend.
Springbok speedster Cheslin Kolbe became the first backline player since 2013 to take the prestigious SA Rugby Men’s Player of the Year title at a glittering SA Rugby Awards ceremony at the International Convention Centre in Cape Town, while Nadine Roos took home the top women’s award for a second time.
The Springbok Sevens team leave Cape Town for Dubai with a firm belief in their objectives for the new season and the knowledge that teamwork and work ethic will be non-negotiable.
The Springbok Women's Sevens squad will travel to Ghana on Wednesday well aware of the pressure the Africa Women's Sevens tournament will bring, alongside expectations for the team to perform in Accra on Saturday and Sunday.