The commitment of his squad over the last three months in preparing for the World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series and immense courage under pressure in the last minute of Sunday’s final in Stellenbosch were the cornerstones of their success in winning core status to next season’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.
SA Rugby President Mr Mark Alexander congratulated Springbok captain Siya Kolisi on behalf of the entire rugby fraternity for being honoured with the National Order of Ikhamanga, which recognises South African citizens who have excelled in arts, culture, literature, music, journalism, and sport.
The Springbok Women’s Sevens team completed their mission on the opening day at the World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series in Stellenbosch on Friday by staying undefeated, but that is now done and dusted and the next job, to do the same on the second day of the tournament at Markötter Stadium, starts now.
The Cell C Sharks kick off the second half of the Currie Cup competition when they host the Windhoek Draught Griquas at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Saturday afternoon.
SA Rugby announced on Wednesday that three current Springbok assistant coaches Mzwandile Stick, Deon Davids and Daan Human, as well as Head of Athletic Performance, Andy Edwards, had signed contract extensions for another four years, which will see them remain with the team until the conclusion of the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
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.