The 2025 season has been a bit of a blur for Alicia Willemse thus far, but on Saturday in Los Angeles at the HSBC SVNS Play-off, the 27-year-old playmaker will strive to be at her brightest and clearest of minds.
Springbok Women's Sevens captain Mathrin Simmers heaped praised on her team after they closed out the last of three World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger tournaments, in Krakow, Poland, with their first victory in the trio of events.
There is a cold snap in the air in Krakow – and with eight becoming the chosen four at the end of the final World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger tournament this weekend – also some desperation for some of the teams who converged on the Polish city since Monday.
The Springbok Women’s Sevens team arrived in Poland late determined to keep their momentum from the opening two legs of the World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger Series that was played in Cape Town early last month.
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 Women's Sevens claimed third place in the first leg of the World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger 2025 at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town, and although SA coach Renfred Dazel was satisfied with bronze, he lamented a three-minute lapse in concentration that cost them dearly against Kenya.
The opportunity to get back on the horse is too good not to get excited about and according to Springbok Women’s Sevens assistant coach Cecil Afrika, the squad will be ready this weekend, when the first of two rounds of the World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger 2025 will be played at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town.
The Springbok Women’s Sevens team realise the enormity and importance of the task at hand when they take the field in the World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger 2025 at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town this weekend.
Athlone Stadium in Cape Town will host the opening two rounds of the World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger 2025, where the Springbok Women’s Sevens team will start their quest to regain their World Series core team status for next season.
They are aware of the threats of one of their traditional foes for Rugby Africa's Women's Sevens glory, but for Springbok Women’s Sevens wing Zandile Masuku, each encounter at this weekend's continental showpiece, will be one where she hopes to be at her very best “in doing her job”.