The verdict on every women's team after 2026 SVNS World Championship

The 2025-26 HSBC SVNS World Championship has come to its end, with the twelve teams across the men’s and women’s tournaments breaking for the next few months before preparations begin for 2026-27.

The women’s tournament saw a thrilling contest, with the finals ultimately coming down to a two-way horse race between Australia and New Zealand.

It took until the final match of the season to split the teams – but the rivalry overshadowed a year where there were plenty of other great stories coming out of the women’s series.

RugbyPass takes a final look at the twelve teams that took part in the SVNS World Championship, and what looms ahead as they prepare for next year.

Catch up on HSBC SVNS World Championship action on RugbyPass TV. You can create an account HERE.

Australia

In a year the side fell so many times at the final hurdle, the Aussie 7s showed a masterclass in knowing when to time their run.

While New Zealand dominated the regular season, the semi victory in Valladolid to snap the losing streak proved a critical moment for the Aussies, when the mental element of facing their rivals was finally shaken off.

From that moment on they produced their best rugby all year – all the more impressive given they were missing some of their best talent. The women in gold played like a team that believed they could win.

Considering the amount of talent coming through the Australian program, it proved a critical victory to back it up and claim the Championship, and will be something to build on as they look towards the 2028 Olympics.

New Zealand

For the vast majority of the year, the Black Ferns 7s were the best team in the women’s circuit – until that semifinal loss in Valladolid.

While they put Canada to the sword and won big in the pool stages in Bordeaux, by the time they got to finals they were starting to run out of gas, being pushed by Japan and needing to produce some magic in extra time to defeat Canada.

Australia proved a bridge too far, but despite falling at the final hurdle, that comes with valuable lessons to take forward. The Black Ferns 7s have unearthed an exciting batch of players, and have shown they can bounce back from disappointment time and time again.

They will remain a heavyweight side, and arguably might be even more dangerous next season.

Canada

Up until the World Championship, Canada had arguably underperformed in the women’s series, managing only one podium finish in Singapore and dealing with multiple injury issues, calling up 31 players across the season.

Yet, when the business end came, the timely return of Olivia Apps and several experienced heads proved effective, making the semis on all three occasions and finishing in third in Bordeaux.

It will ultimately prove a year of significant growth, with plenty of exciting talent found in Canada’s program across the year.

United States

The United States, of all the chasing pack, were the side that came closest to defeating the likes of Australia and New Zealand, building into the year to finish with two bronze medals in Vancouver and New York.

The game-changing power of Ilona Maher was missed, but the side got better and better as the season progressed, maintaining a settled squad that went on to defeat Australia in the pool stages of Valladolid.

With the likes of Ariana Ramsey, Kaylen Thomas and Sammy Sullivan enjoying positive seasons, all signs point to the USA likely closing the gap on Australia and New Zealand next year.

France

France was in the mix across the year, managing three bronze finishes, the same as 2025. Ultimately, the side found themselves in a similar position to the United States.

Truth be told, their consistency fluctuated more from tournament to tournament, especially when the side lost the likes of experienced campaigners in Lili Dezou and Léa Trollier.

The increasing integration of sevens stars with the national side has the makings of moving Les Bleus 7s back up to a top three contender, and the growth shone does make them a side to watch in the chasing pack.

Japan

While Japan finished on par with where they achieved in the 2024-25 series, the highs of their season proved higher this year.

Even though they fell away in the regular season, their bronze finish in Dubai proved a milestone result for the outfit, which included victories over Canada and Fiji.

This year will ultimately be a stepping stone to bigger and better things, the side staying relatively consistent across the year and getting valuable game time together, which should prove beneficial long term.

Fiji

Two semifinal finishes bookending the regular season will be among the Fijian side’s highlights, the team having to deal with several difficult weekends of injury that saw form fluctuate across the season.

The side did enough to overcome several threatening SVNS 2 sides, and ultimately, this will put the side in better stead to deliver results long term.

Spain

If there were two words to define the Spanish women’s side this year, it would be consistent and persistent.

While the side did cop some big losses against more established teams, their efforts to target the likes of SVNS 2 champions Argentina and Great Britain worked well, qualifying for the quarterfinals in every leg.

Combined with being the only women’s side to achieve three podium finishes in SVNS 2, it proved an ultimately successful year after being relegated from the SVNS Series last year. Now their focus turns to staying in the top league consistently.

Brazil

Sneaking into the World Championship thanks to winning the SVNS 2 home leg in São Paulo, it proved a solid bounceback for Brazil, who have been at the forefront of women’s rugby in South America after their XVs side qualified for the 2025 Rugby World Cup.

The side ultimately fell away as the World Championship dragged on, replicating their 2025 finish of just missing out on SVNS Series qualification.

Regardless, this year still had its positives; and ultimately showed that once their consistency is addressed, Brazil have what it takes to get back to the SVNS Series.

Argentina

On its face, finishing in tenth in the World Championship might be considered a disappointment for Las Yaguaretés. But, in the grand scheme of things, 2026 was a colossal success for the Argentine women’s sevens program.

One of only two sides to play in all three tiers this year, Argentina grew brilliantly into the inaugural SVNS 2 tournament, ultimately winning the title thanks to leg wins in Nairobi and Montevideo.

Moving up to the SVNS Series beyond that was always going to be a steep learning curve, but Argentina’s rise this year suggests the women are not far away from joining their male counterparts in the SVNS Series.

Great Britain

The 2025-26 series was a difficult one for Great Britain, the side significantly affected by injuries throughout their entire season.

Of the 37 players who were called up for representation, only one – captain Katie Shillaker – played every single tournament, and the inability to build those combinations ultimately cost Great Britain their spot in the SVNS Series.

The good news is the side will have a good chance to bounce back and prepare for the 2027 SVNS 2 tournament, which will give them a valuable opportunity to rediscover that winning feeling.

South Africa

The other team that played in every tier of the new SVNS format in 2026, the Blazeboks finishing in last, similar to Argentina, may be seen as a disappointment. In truth, it is anything but.