The Springbok Women’s Sevens team completed the double at the World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series in Stellenbosch with a dramatic 17-14 victory over Belgium, on Sunday, 30 April 2023.
The deal was only sealed with the last move of the final, but the #BokWomen7s have completed the #7sChallengerSeries double in Stellenbosch – more here: https://t.co/XyaoFJwoC2 🇿🇦#RiseUp pic.twitter.com/dHkLNRLoqq
— Springbok Women (@WomenBoks) April 30, 2023
The win also saw the champions secure their spot in the core team in the HSBC World Rugby Seven’s Series for the next season.
The home team looked in control at the break leading by 12-0 but the visitors grappled back, to take a 14-12 lead, before Libbie Janse van Rensburg, scored the match-winner, after the buzzer had sounded.
It was a quick-fire start for the host nation with Ayanda Malinga putting them ahead inside 45 seconds, when she went over for the first try of the game.
Sizophila Solontsi also got herself on the scoreboard minutes before the break, to hand SA the 12-0 lead.
From the restart, Cecile Blondiau put Belgium on the board, which was only the second try conceded by the Bok Women all weekend. Nele Pien’s conversion made it 12-7.
Blondiau then scored another try for the visitors with Pien’s converting yet again, to hand them a 14-12 lead, with three minutes to go.
However, Renfred Dazel’s team showed great character in defence, which also allowed Janse van Rensburg to crash over, after the Belgians conceded a few penalties in the red zone, clinching a memorable win for South Africa, who won 11 and drew only one of their 12 matches, in the two tournaments.
Photo 1 Caption: The Springbok Women’s Sevens team completed the double at the World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series in Stellenbosch, with a dramatic 17-14 victory over Belgium, on Sunday, 30 April 2023. Photo: Springbok Women
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