SA aiming for Challenger Series top spot
PREVIEW: Their abilities on attack and sheer-mindedness on defence will stand the Springbok Women’s Sevens team in good stead at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town on Friday, when the second World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger 2025 tournament kicks off.
That is the belief of Nadine Roos, the leading points scorer, who feels that a strong performance could secure a top of the log finish at the end of the second of two tournaments. The first one, where the Bok Women Sevens placed third, was held last weekend at the same venue.
This time around, the hosts take on Samoa and Poland in Pool C and for Roos and the team, their plans are clear and laid out.
“Samoa is a physical team, but they also have two speedsters that we will have to keep an eye on,” said Roos. “They play direct, so we must keep our first time tackles spot-on to stop them from getting momentum.
“In our reviews, we picked up that they tend to be a bit narrow on defence, which will suit us as we want to play an expansive style against them. We want to move them around from side to side.
“In order to do that, we must keep our ball on attack and our passes need to be spot-on. Our focus for now is on this match, as a good start will give us momentum for the rest of the weekend.”
Whereas they have not played Samoa in recent times, South Africa did encounter Poland over the years and have a better idea what to expect from the European side.
“They are also a physical team, but not as much as Samoa and they do play a particular pattern,” said Roos.
“Our aim will be to disrupt that as I don’t believe their Plan B is as strong. Also, I know we have more speed than they do, so our speedsters will have to use every opportunity presented to them.”
On day one last weekend, South Africa did not concede a try and for Roos, that was a sign of the team’s attitude: “These girls will not stop trying. We chase back and hunt everything down, so I don’t see us changing that habit.”
Roos also believes playing in front of the Athlone Stadium crowd will help ease the fatigue: “Every bit of energy coming off the crowd is a boost to us. We love playing in front of our supporters, so hopefully there will be good numbers in this weekend.”
Roos said they are still aiming for top spot on the log by the end of the second tournament on Saturday.
“We are determined to win this one,” she said. “Who knows what will happen to the other sides in the top four, so we could be in a strong position by the time we travel to Poland for the final tournament of the series.”
Pools:
A: Kenya, Uganda, Belgium
B: Argentina, Czechia, Hong Kong China
C: South Africa, Poland, Samoa
D: Colombia, Thailand, Mexico.
SA pool schedule at Athlone Stadium – Friday, 7 March (local time):
15,11: Samoa
18.52: Poland
Top six teams after Round One:
1 Kenya – 20 points
2 Argentina – 18
3 South Africa – 16
4 Colombia – 14
5 Thailand – 12
6 Poland – 10
