The Springbok Women’s Sevens delivered a flawless performance in Nairobi on Sunday, successfully defending their Rugby Africa Women’s Sevens Cup crown with a powerful 22-0 victory over hosts Kenya in the final....Click to Read More >>➤

This commanding win capped a perfect tournament for South Africa, who did not concede a single point across all their matches. Their dominant run saw them score 214 unanswered points, a testament to their superior strategy and execution.

Head coach Cecil Afrika immediately praised his squad’s dedication and unity. He highlighted the team’s collective drive as the cornerstone of their unmatched results on the field.

Cecil Afrika Credits Team Culture for Dominant Display

Reflecting on the successful title defense, Coach Afrika shifted the praise directly to the players. He emphasized that their hard work and commitment were directly responsible for the outcome.

“The players really deserve the credit,” Afrika stated. “They put in such hard work and the results were a welcome reward for that.”

He confirmed the team achieved its dual objectives. “We came here to defend our title, but also to qualify for the Challenger 3 tournament, something we managed to do. So it is mission accomplished.”

Afrika also pointed to the team’s strong bond as a key factor. “There was a good bond in the squad and the players remained a tight-knit group throughout the weekend. That helped in us executing what we wanted to,” he added.

The path to the final was just as decisive. South Africa powered through their knockout matches, first overpowering Ghana 48-0 and then defeating Madagascar 29-0. The victory secured their coveted ticket to the eight-team Division Three Challenger competition. This crucial event is scheduled as a standalone tournament in Dubai this coming January.

Focus Shifts to Dubai and Squad Development

With the African title secured, attention now turns to the next challenge. Coach Afrika confirmed that preparations are already underway for their upcoming assignment.

“Next up is the international invitational tournament in Dubai in two weeks’ time, as part of the Emirates Dubai Sevens, so the focus will move to that now,” he said.

This upcoming event in Dubai will serve a dual purpose. Afrika noted it is a platform to build squad depth and test developing talent. “We will name some players in that squad that are still developing, as we need to broaden the base for the Challenger 3 tournament in January, that will also take place in Dubai.”

The coach expressed confidence in the internal competition this will create. He believes it will push the entire squad to elevate their game for the major Challenger Series event in Dubai next year. This strategic approach ensures the team continues to grow and remain competitive on the international stage. ...Click to Read More >>➤