A rash of penalties and two yellow cards tripped up the Springbok Women’s Sevens team in Spain on Saturday, resulting in a disappointing 24-0 defeat to Brazil in their final Pool B encounter of the HSBC SVNS at Civitas Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid, Spain, on Saturday, 2 June, 2024.
The result means a second placed finish in their pool and a crucial clash against Spain on Sunday, a result that will determine if South Africa will retain their core status for the 2025 season.
The Bok Women never got out of the blocks against Brazil, a team they beat in their last encounter in Los Angeles. They conceded two early tries and gave away nine consecutive penalties – mostly at the breakdown – against an opponent that played with a lot more wisdom in the match.
Bianca Silva scored in the opening minute and some loose defence resulted in Thalia Costa bagging a second two minutes later. A Raquel Kochhann try handed Brazil a 19-0 lead at the break.
Photo: Mike Lee – KLC fotos for World Rugby
Photo: Mike Lee – KLC fotos for World Rugby
The South Africans never fired a shot on attack and yellow cards to Liske Lategan and Sizophila Solontsi added to their misery. A second Costa try late in the second half completed the rout.
Cecil Afrika, the team’s assistant coach, said afterwards it was a below par performance: “We were soft on defence and never had the ball to attack, and when we did, we kicked it away. That was a poor performance and we all know that.
“Let’s hope we come out tomorrow with the desperation needed to win this game. We will see how much the team really wants it in that match. Effort and attitude will determine our fate.”
The Springbok Women’s Sevens will have to show much more discipline on Sunday if they have any hopes of winning their quarter-final at 15h32.
Overview – Rest of the Tournament – HSBC SVNS Play-off Pool A
Tries from Charity Williams, Olivia Apps and Piper Logan saw Canada take an unlikely 21-0 lead over New Zealand into the break.
A fourth from Keyara Wardley took them even further ahead, and despite a flurry of replies from Stacey Waaka, Jorja Miller and Jazmin Felix-Hotham, a knock-on from the Black Ferns Sevens ended their comeback hopes, Canada earning their first win over the New Zealand since 2016.
Photo: Mike Lee – KLC fotos for World Rugby
Photo: Mike Lee – KLC fotos for World Rugby
Canada led GB at half time in their second game, but tries from Lauren Torley and Heather Cowell sent the game to golden point. GB defended valiantly, but Canada kept coming phase after phase, Wardley getting the crucial touchdown.
It has been a tough campaign in Madrid for GB who had been edged 14-12 by the USA earlier in the day, both sides exchanged calamities at either end of the field in the closing moments.
After leading 12-7 thanks to a brace from Jasmine Joyce, Great Britain fell behind after a loose ball couldn’t be gathered by Meg Jones, Steph Rovetti pouncing on the opportunity to take her side ahead. With USA in possession and seconds to go, a miscommunication saw them kick the ball dead, handing GB a final attacking chance. However, a misplaced offload ended their hopes of victory.
In the last game of the day, Jorja Miller scored a brace as New Zealand got back on track with a 38-5 win over the USA.
HSBC SVNS Championship Pool B
Maddison Levi scored seven tries on day two as Australia went unbeaten in Pool B.
First half dominance saw Australia lead Fiji 24-7 at the break after a double from Levi, who added a third shortly after the break. Kaitlin Shave gave Australia their fifth as they cantered to a 31-14 win.
Photo: Mike Lee – KLC fotos for World Rugby
Photo: Mike Lee – KLC fotos for World Rugby
Levi was once again the star against France, crossing for four tries in a 28-14 victory. Anne-Cecile Ciofani and Lou Noel both scored in the opening seven to be within a score of Australia at half time but failed to add to it in the second half.
France had won their first game of the day against Ireland by 31-5, who themselves regrouped for a 26-19 win over Fiji, although it was not enough for a semi-final place.
HSBC SVNS Play-off Pool A
Braces from Yan Meiling and Chen Keyi powered China to a 40-0 defeat of Poland in their final pool game. With a three from three record to top Pool A, China will face Belgium tomorrow in their winner-takes-all tie.
Recovering from yesterday’s loss against China, Japan overcame Spain 26-14 to secure their own shot at glory, with Argentina awaiting them on finals day. For Spain, a shootout against South Africa awaits.
HSBC SVNS Play-off Pool B
Brazil were the victors in their Pool B showdown with South Africa, winning 24-0 to give themselves a game against Poland to maintain their core status next season.
Despite two second half yellow cards, Argentina were able to hold on for a 19-14 victory over Belgium.
The Springbok Women’s Sevens at the 2024 HSBC SVNS Qualifier Tournament
#21 Byrhandre Dolf
#4 Zintle Mpupha
#96 Libbie Janse van Rensburg
#18 Shiniqwa Lamprecht
#12 Liske Lategan
#10 Mathrin Simmers
#24 Veroeshka Grain
#7 Eloise Webb
#16 Maria Tshiremba
#17 Sizophila Solontsi
#3 Ayanda Malinga
#9 Nadine Roos
#13 Kemisetso Baloyi
Qualifier Pool B Fixtures and Fixtures (CAT Times)
Friday 31 May
South Africa 24 – 7 Argentina
12:22pm Brazil 45 – 4 Belgium
3:06pm South Africa 40 – 7 Belgium
3:28pm Brazil 31-12 Argentina
Saturday 1 June
1:28pm Argentina v Belgium
1:51pm Brazil v South Africa
Scorers
South Africa 40 (26), Belgium 7 (0)
SA – Tries: Nadine Roos (3), Zintle Mpupha, Maria Tshiremba, Ayanda Malinga Conversions: Roos (4), Libbie Janse van Rensburg
Belgium – Try: Louka Blommaert
Conversion: Margaux Stevins
South Africa 24 (12) – Argentina 7 (0)
SA – Tries: Nadine Roos (2), Maria Tshiremba (2)
Conversions: Roos (2)
Argentina – Try: Mayra Genghini
Conversion: Sofia Gonzalez
Qualifier Pool A
1. Japan
2. Spain
3. China
4. Poland
Qualifier Pool B
1. Brazil
2. South Africa
3. Argentina
4. Belgium
Championship Pool A
1. New Zealand
2. USA
3. Canada
4. Great Britain
Championship Pool B
1. Australia
2. France
3. Fiji
4. Ireland
Original Copy: SA Rugby Communications and World Rugby, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: Brazil’s Bianca Silva powers forward to a try. South Africa’s Springbok Women’s Sevens were brought to ground with a big thump by Qualifer Pool B opponents Brazil on day two of the HSBC SVNS Grand Final at Stadium Civitas Metropolitano in Madrid, Spain, on Saturday, 2 June, 2024. Photo: Mike Lee – KLC fotos for World Rugby
Photo 2 Caption: Brazil captain Luiza Campos and Gabriela Lima celebrate the win over South Africa on day two. Photo: Mike Lee – KLC fotos for World Rugby
Photo 3 Caption: South Africa’s Mathrin Simmers and Brazil’s Yasmim Soares exchange courtesies after the game. Photo: Mike Lee – KLC fotos for World Rugby
Photo 4 Caption: The prolific Portia Woodman-Wickliffe races away for New Zealand’s edge over Great Britain. Photo: Mike Lee – KLC fotos for World Rugby
Photo 5 Caption: Knockout qualifiers Canada’s Asia Hogan-Rochester and Keyara Wardley celebrate a try against USA. Photo: Mike Lee – KLC fotos for World Rugby
Photo 6 Caption: Quarter-finalists Australia’s Kaitlin Shave races away for a try against Fiji. Photo: Mike Lee – KLC fotos for World Rugby
Photo 7 Caption: France’s Valentine Lothoz attacks against the Ireland defense to remain in the title race. Photo: Mike Lee – KLC fotos for World Rugby
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