Another six players to watch during SVNS World Championship

The HSBC SVNS World Championship continues in Spain this month, and it looms as arguably the most important weekend of the entire year.

If the chasing sides win, the tournaments shift to a winner-takes-all thriller in France. If South Africa and New Zealand win, both have likely done just enough to already have a hand on the 2025-26 Championship.

But that doesn’t mean there isn’t a chance for other players to shine.

RugbyPass once again breaks down six stars who we think are flying under the radar in the 2025-26 HSBC Sevens Series, with finals now in the picture and the eight spots of the World Series next season up for grabs.

Our qualifiers are that these players have played at least one tournament this year, and they currently have no points in the RugbyPass SVNS finals MVP competition.

Zain Davids (South Africa)

A lot of Blitzboks have stood out across the 2025-26 season, with Tristan Leyds, Ryan Oosthuizen, Shilton van Wyk and Selvyn Davids recognised with player of the final awards.

However, mixed within that is experienced Sevens star Zain Davids, who has clocked in well over 200 appearances for South Africa.

The veteran played out of his skin as his side went on to win in Hong Kong China, topping the tackle count for the men’s tournament with 22 tackles. With many challengers coming for the Boks in Valladolid, a big shift is likely required from him again.

Atelaite Buna (Fiji)

A distinguished member of the Fijian Sevens and XVs side, Atelaite Buna is set for a busy few months ahead, having also been named in the Fijian Drua’s women’s side for the Super Rugby Women’s competition in Australia.

Fiji sit in a precarious position of seventh and needs to keep qualifying for the quarterfinals to keep their World Series spot, as Spain and Brazil continue to snap at their heels.

Buna top-scored for the Fijians in Hong Kong China with 24 points, and will need to keep her form going, especially against South Africa and the USA in their pool.

Nygel Amaitsa (Kenya)

Kenya will come into the Spain SVNS with a good reason to feel confident, finishing as the best performing SVNS 2 side in Hong Kong China, and making the quarter finals before finishing in seventh.

A big reason for that is Nygel Amaitsa. A competitor at the 2024 Summer Olympics and one of Kenya’s most exciting prospects, Amaitsa finished with 27 points in Hong Kong China, the side’s top scorer.

The Kenyan will need to back it up in Spain, especially as their pool contains South Africa, Australia and their key targets, Great Britain.

Marta Fresno (Spain)

Spain were the big improvers in the women’s competition in Hong Kong China, overcoming Argentina to make the quarterfinals, and Marta Fresno played a big part.

Making over 30 carries across the weekend, the Spaniard’s work rate allowed Marta Cantabrana and Juana Stella to find holes in the opposition’s defence.

With home fans watching, expectations will be through the roof that both the Spanish men’s and women’s sides will step it up.

Ben Broselle (USA)

One of the USA’s most experienced options, if the USA are to make a push for the World Series top eight, Ben Broselle will be a major part of it.

A veteran of the SVNS since Las Vegas in 2019, Broselle had a busy Hong Kong Sevens, beating 11 defenders, making four line breaks and six offloads, and proving a menace for defensive sides.

With the USA men coming last in Hong Kong China, they’ll need their attack to deliver if they hope to push for the World Series.

Alycia Christiaens (France)

Finishing off the list, in a weekend where France sent a message to the rest of the women’s competition that they will be a tough side to put away in the finals, Alycia Christiaens and Anne-Cecile Ciofani deserve a special mention, brilliantly supporting Lili Dezou.

Despite the latter scoring four tries, we’re going with the former because she did something France desperately needed: delivered quality go-forward.

With eight offloads, five line breaks, 21 defenders beaten and an impressive 299 metres gained, Christiaens was a nightmare for defences to deal with, and a big part of why her side was able to finish in third.

Should they back it up and challenge the likes of Australia and New Zealand, the French could emerge as a surprise package heading into a home final leg in Bordeaux.