'We are stress-free now': Dolf expects positive South Africa performance in Brazil

Byrhandré Dolf believes we can expect to see the Springbok Women’s Sevens play with freedom this weekend at the HSBC SVNS 2 finale in São Paulo.

Last week in Montevideo, South Africa’s third-place tournament finish secured Cecil Afrika’s team with a place at the HSBC SVNS World Championship. But before events in Hong Kong, Valladolid and Bordeaux, the team have a final chance of finishing top of the second tier competition.

This weekend in Brazil the Springboks will be better rested. They only arrived in Uruguay halfway through last week and were left frustrated with poor performances against Spain and Argentina, performances which ultimately handed their opponents the top two spots on the podium.

“We are stress-free now; we know where we are heading and that was what we worked for,” Dolf said. “We can also use this weekend to prepare ourselves for the World Championship, where the standards will be higher.

“Another tournament under the belt also means we will be better as a squad and more cohesive in our performance.”

Poor performances have been at the epicentre of South Africa’s focus this week in São Paulo.

This weekend the Springboks will play Spain, Kenya and Brazil on Day 1. On Day 2 the side conclude their tournament with clashes against Argentina and China.

“We had much more time to do analysis of last weekend’s games and to iron out small gremlins on the training field, something we certainly did not have time for last week,” Dolf said.

“Each player had a good look at their individual performances and how the team functioned under pressure, and that made it much easier going into this weekend. We could also get a good look at our opponents and will be ready for what they bring.”

This weekend the team will be without their leading try-scorer, Maria Tshiremba, who has been rested due to injury.