The rise of Las Yaguaretés: From SVNS 3 to core status contention

In the vibrant but increasingly competitive HSBC SVNS jungle, a new prowler has unleashed their first roars towards greatness, as Argentina’s Las Yaguaretés aim to become a core side next season.

In under three years, the Argentinians went from winning their first continental sevens title, defeated Brazil for the first time, to battling their way into the HSBC SVNS World Championship, in what is a new era for the proud rugby nation.

However, their exploits over the 2026 HSBC SVNS 3 and SVNS 2 season, and their two Sudamérica Rugby Sevens titles, didn’t come out of nowhere.

“It started way before 2024, as we’ve been under a methodical development since 2015,” the 29-year-old said.

“When Nahuel García rejoined the team in 2022, there was a massive shift in our mindset and physical abilities, including conditioning, pace, and more. It was in that moment that we felt we could challenge the status quo.”

While the road didn’t only start in 2022, it certainly took on new meaning in that area, largely due to Nahuel García’s arrival and the union’s efforts to invest in their women’s sevens side.

García, who coached the team from 2015 to 2017, opened up about what the team has gone through since 2022 and the changes that have been put in place.

“The first and most important change that happened in the last three years was our conditioning and athleticism,” he said. “Their acceleration, power, pace, and ability to withstand longer periods of intense play have been critical to our success. Our mindset also has shifted, as we are now a team that believes in itself and it can go for the top.”

The experienced coach, who has invested in and committed to the growth of Argentinian women’s rugby, recalls the many challenges the team had to overcome to reach this point.

“We worked long hours and sacrificed so much in the last three years just to reach this point. But everyone, from the players to staff, wanted this, and we understood that only by taking the right steps, we could make our vision come true.”

But for players like Pedrozo, there was no other way than to embrace the long hours and the profound commitment to the cause if they wanted to reach for the stars.

With the staff and players outlining short- and long-term goals, everything triggered that change and growth, along with the arrival of a new batch of talent that further solidified Las Yaguaretés.

“There’s also another detail that pushed us to go this far: the arrival of several new, young and talented players. It refreshed the team, bringing new energy and joy. They played without restrictions or pressure. The combination of all of these factors ended up leading us to earn promotion from the SVNS 3 to SVNS 1.”

Nonetheless, while García’s arrival was important for them to take the next step with more confidence, the decisive moment for the head coach came in 2023; the Sudamericano conquest.

“It was without a shred of doubt the moment that we felt we could go big. It was the first step in our journey. The second one happened when we qualified for the final of the Challenger Series in Madrid in 2024. But that victory over Brazil in 2023 was the breakthrough that we were aiming for.”

As for Pedrozo, her answer can’t be clearer:

“I agree with Nahuel. It was a monumental shift when we won the sevens Sud Americano in 2023. It was the first time in our history that we finished as champions. We looked up to Brazil as the leading South American sevens team, so overcoming them and lifting the title was mind-blowing. It made us want to go even further, be it the SVNS Challenger or the Championship.”

For the speedster, that win was the culmination of eleven long years of sacrifice, pain, disappointments, growth, elation and joy, as she had debuted for the national side at 18, in a very different time for the Argentinian women’s game.

While she had big dreams of becoming a basketball star, it was in rugby that she found a purpose and a second home. Even though she never expected to reach this point, especially since she was raised in the countryside town of Eldorado.

But fate had other plans, when one day she was spotted playing by the then-Argentina national team coach.

“I remember that the first time someone from the UAR noticed me was in a club friend match,” Pedrozo recalled. “I didn’t own any rugby boots, so I had to play in sneakers.

“The head coach of Las Yaguaretés at the time told me, ‘If you can run and sidestep with those shoes on, I can only imagine what you can do with proper boots!’

“He later told me that when I turned 18, he wanted me to come to the Argentina national team’s training sessions.”

Fast forward a decade, and Pedrozo now captains Las Yaguaretés, having had the pleasure to lead the team in their first ever Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens.

But for her, and while she loved being under the bright lights and enticing rhythm of one of the greatest sevens legs of all time, their triumph in Montevideo was by far the greatest experience of her life.

“The SVNS 2 was a goal, but we understood that it was going to be a steep climb. We were focused on working hard and developing a strong game plan to take us to greater things. We won in Nairobi and then came the Montevideo leg. However, the cherry on the top was that our whole families joined us there to support us.”

But was winning the SVNS 2 something completely unexpected to them? Or was it one of the short-term goals that they laid out a couple of years ago? García shares the team’s objectives for the three legs that took place in February and March.

“Our first goal was to qualify as one of the four best sides of the SVNS 2. To accomplish that, we needed to aim high in the Nairobi leg. On the first day, we were great and showed that we could go the extra mile. We won the leg and then came Montevideo.”

For him, winning the Nairobi leg wasn’t just a tremendous achievement but another obstacle that had been overcome.

“Look, the most interesting part is that we won the SVNS 2, having not won any of the legs of last year’s SVNS 3. We went to the finals and lost to South Africa and China. We needed to overcome that last obstacle, and in Uruguay, we did it and in such a brilliant way.”

It was the absolute scenes when Las Yaguaretés beat South Africa in Montevideo, with Pedrozo still feeling as if she were there, savouring the glory and success alongside her teammates.

“I am still quite emotional about it. We came from so far, and our families supported us every step of the way. It was the first time we felt like we were playing at home. When you play for others, not only for your country but for the ones that you love the most, it makes you feel more energised and motivated.”

Next came Hong Kong, one of the biggest Meccas of rugby. Las Yaguaretés offered France and the USA a good challenge, before they secured a win over South Africa in the 11th-place play-off, which was a positive and promising experience.

“It was a spectacular feeling,” García said. “We were the only team that had never had a single female player participate in any previous edition! It was a rewarding experience for us, as we were at times on a par with some of the top sides. We realised that we were edging closer to that level, despite losing against Brazil and Spain.”

Argentina could be the greatest beneficiaries of SVNS’ reformulation ahead of this season. A top eight finish after events in Valladolid and Bordeaux would see Las Yaguaretés rise through the ranks from third tier to Series status.

This whole conversation about victories, and unprecedented achievements was only possible thanks to the willpower of an entire team, from the staff to the players. For the captain, all of this was only possible thanks to the spirit of what playing for Argentina, which she explains.

“A Yaguareté is someone who works hard, is disciplined, resilient, respects others and will work as part of a pack. We are, at the same time, family and friends. We are very united and close to each other.”

As for García, Las Yaguaretés is much more than a team of individuals.

“A very strong sense of belonging. It moves me to talk about what it means to be a Yaguareté, because there were so many moments when I couldn’t find the words to express how joyous this team makes me feel. They have sacrificed and given so much to be here. They are exemplary and passionate athletes and people.”

But before they embark on their journey to Valladolid to compete in the second stage of the World Championship, García and Pedrozo reveal the next goals they dream of achieving in the coming years.

“The Summer Olympics are one of our goals, and that’s why we have to be highly competitive in these SVNS 1 and SVNS 2 events. Only then can we qualify for the Pan American Games and secure our place in the next Olympic Games,” the experienced head coach said.

“To stay as a core SVNS1 team and qualify for the Summer Olympic Games.” Pedrozo admitted. “When we accomplish that, then I can retire.”