Springbok women thrive in Krakow with first HSBC Sevens title of the year

The Springbok Women’s Sevens team have finally found their rhythm, clinching their first title of the year at the third and final World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger tournament in Krakow, Poland.

A well-deserved victory over Argentina, ending with a score of 21-12, marked a significant achievement after finishing third in the opening event in Cape Town and being runners-up in the following tournament at Athlone Stadium.

Despite their triumph in Krakow, the Springboks could not surmount the dominance of Kenya, who secured the top position after impressively winning the two tournaments held in Cape Town. Nevertheless, the South African team’s strong performance against the East Africans in the semi-final—a solid 22-10 victory—will offer them a glimmer of confidence moving forward.

The final against Argentina was tightly contested, with the scores tied at 7-7 at halftime. South Africa showcased their class in the second half, effectively pulling ahead and securing the win. Zintle Mpupha ignited the momentum with an opening try just two minutes into the match, following skilful defensive pressure that forced Argentina to relinquish possession. Nadine Roos, who was instrumental throughout the tournament, converted the try.

Though Argentina fought back with a converted try from Taladrid late in the first half, the Springboks were determined not to lose their footing. The second half saw South Africa dominate the field, with Mathrin Simmers executing a brilliant run that set up Rights Mkhari for a try beneath the posts—Roos converted once again.

In a display of sheer resilience and speed, Roos extended the lead to 21-7, dashing in from 60 metres out for her own try. Argentina managed to score after the final hooter, but it proved too little, too late as the Springboks celebrated their well-earned title.

Earlier in the semi-final against Kenya, the South African team controlled the match with strategic precision, outscoring their opponents with four tries while only conceding two. Ayanda Malinga opened the scoring, showcasing her pace to sidestep a defender, with Roos successfully converting. Maria Tshiremba followed suit, using a powerful hand-off to score on the left flank.

Roos herself extended South Africa’s lead shortly after the break, catching Kenya’s defence off guard with a quick-tap penalty before Mpupha sealed the deal with a powerful run into the corner.

The Springbok Women secured three pool victories on Friday, ensuring their spot not only in the finals but also qualifying for the playoff tournament in Los Angeles next month. Argentina advanced to the final following a nail-biting 21-20 victory over Thailand, despite being outscored in tries.

This championship title in Krakow adds a vital milestone to the Springbok Women’s Sevens team’s aspirations as they look ahead to future competitions.