'I am very proud of that performance': Springbok Women's Sevens take positives from Nairobi

It was a mixed weekend for Cecil Afrika’s Springbok Women’s Sevens team at the opening tournament of HSBC SVNS 2 in Kenya.

By the end of two days’ action, the team finished second overall after they played all five of their opponents at Nyayo National Stadium.

Their efforts on Saturday did much of the damage. Wins over Spain and Kenya on Day 1 were compounded by a loss to Brazil.

It meant that any hope of leaving the tournament with 20 points, ahead of further stops in Montevideo and Sao Paulo, were far more difficult.

To give themselves the best possible chance, the Boks beat China 33-5 and had to beat Argentina, without giving their opponents anything from the game, in the final women’s game of the weekend.

They did beat Las Yaguaretés 17-12, handing the South Americans a losing bonus point. It was not enough to grab top spot, but it was enough to give the team’s head coach cause for optimism.

“The girls really played for each other and they showed how much that jersey means to them,” Afrika said.

“The character and fight to stay in that match and ultimately win it, was massive for us and the squad in general. I am very proud of that performance.

“We started slowly and just could not convert our opportunities on day one. Although we started with a win over Spain, it was not our best performance.

“The defeat against Brazil was a continuation of the issue of not converting our chances, but on Sunday, we took our opportunities much better and that was pleasing.

“There were many learnings for us and we have something to work on when we start preparing for the next two tournaments.”

Regardless of missing out on top spot, South Africa can live safe in the knowledge that two more podium finishes will send them to the HSBC SVNS World Championship along with three other teams.

“We all had to adapt to the change in format and we could have been at the top, bar the bonus point Argentina gained from our match, so it is good lessons learned,” Afrika said.

“We are in second position and in contention for that top four spot, so in that regard, it was mission accomplished.”