South Africa‘s women’s sevens team can study forward to their first-ever Olympics Games after winning the Rugby Africa Women’s Sevens regional qualifying tournament in Tunisia.
Kenya pushed them all the way in the final in Monastir as they looked to book their area at a third Olympics having previously represented the region in Rio and Tokyo.
But the Lionesses came up honest short, losing 12-7, and will now maintain to try their luck in the repechage – along with third space Uganda – in a bid to maintain their ever-present record.
Nadine Roos starred for South Africa throughout the two-day event, scoring nine tries and kicking 10 conversions including her side’s first try in the final.
South Africa breezed through day one with comfortable wins against Zimbabwe (26-0), Uganda (19-0) and Tunisia (27-7) with Roos contributing 37 of their points.
A Roos hat-trick on day two then helped the Springbok Women’s Sevens to beat Zambia 31-0 in the semi-final and set up a date with Kenya.
The Lionesses had kicked off their campaign with two huge wins against Zambia and Ghana, scoring 68 points without reply, but nearly came unstuck against Madagascar in their final pool match, edging a tight contest 20-17.
Dennis Mwanja’s charges had a far easier ride in the semi-final, beating Uganda 27-0, and went into the final with real confidence.
However, Kenya found themselves 5-0 behind at half-time with Roos’ unconverted try the only thing separating the teams.
Sharon Auma then gave Kenya hope when she levelled the scores, Grace Okulu converting to send them into a 7-5 lead.
But Maria Thshiremba had the final say for South Africa when she scored from a set piece creep, Roos adding the conversion to manufacture it 12-7.
“A DISTINGUISHED FEELING”
South Africa head coach Renfred Dazel said he was delighted for the players that they were able to create history and finally qualify for the Olympics.
“I feel so satisfied for the players who worked so hard to achieve this – we were denied in 2016 and 2020, but this time it is official, and it’s such a noteworthy feeling,” said Dazel.
“We knew Kenya was going to be a tough opponent and I told the players that defence will win us this one. We did really well in the first half, but could not convert all our pressure into points, so when they took the lead in the second half, we had to fight hard.
“But once again, like in the Challenger Series final, we had the fight in us for the win and it was a worthy comeback.”
The Springbok Women’s Sevens team earlier in the year secured core status on the revamped HSBC SVNS after winning the Challenger Series in Stellenbosch, and Dazel said qualifying for the Olympic Games will further boost their profile.
“It is huge for our scheme and it is huge for women’s rugby in the country overall,” he said.
“There will be more opportunities now for girls to advance and play rugby, so winning this weekend was huge for the women’s game. The future looks radiant.”
Silver Agent
A South African, an Australian and an Englishman are all having a drink
The Englishman and South African both drink from Pint Glasses, the Australian from a bottle.
The South African, upon draining his glass, drops in back down on the bar, pulls out a pistol, and shoots the glass.
\”In South Africa, there is so much sand that I never drink from the same glass twice!\”
The Australian, having drained his bottle, sets it down upon the bar and, upon seizing the South African\’s pistol, shoots his bottle.
\”In Australia, there is so much booze that I never drink from the same brand twice!\”
The Englishman, likewise having drained his glass, sets his glass upon the table, seizes the pistol the pistol from the Australian, and shoots the South African and the Australian, quite dead.
\”In England, there are so many of you bastards that I never drink with the same two twice!\”
Sweet Bacon
Hayibo! – wow! [Hai-bo] Derived from the Zulu word meaning “definitely not!” This word is usually expressed on its own, at the start or end of a sentence when something seems astonishing.Example: “Hayibo! Ha! Ha! I can’t believe that!”