The South African Women’s Sevens team have done it again! The team earned double gold and a place at the World Rugby Sevens Series in 2024.
Stellenbosch, South Africa (02 May 2023) – After six days of exciting competition in Stellenbosch, South Africa, the World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series 2023 came to a climax at Markötter Stadium on Sunday afternoon with South Africa women being crowned overall tournament champions.
The phenomenal South African women captured back-to-back gold medals with a slim 17-14 victory over Belgium thanks to a final-minute try by Elizabatha Janse van Rensburg to officially earn core status in the upcoming World Rugby Sevens Series 2024.
“There are no words to describe how we feel right now. We’re just so happy. The girls really showed some character and they fought in the last game. We’re very excited that we’ll be playing in the World Rugby Sevens Series. That’s where we want to play, against the world’s best.” – Mathrin Simmers, SA Captian
A recap of the second tournament hosted in Stellenbosch
“A hat-trick of tries from tournament two’s leading try scorer Cécile Blondiau gave Belgium a 22-5 victory over China in the opening semi-final to secure a second consecutive cup final appearance for her side.
In the second semi-final, South Africa led Czechia 5-0 at half-time through a try by Ayanda Malinga. The host nation showed their class in the second half, with Nadine Roos, Simamkele Namba, and Zintle Mpupha adding their names onto the scoresheet to give the winners from the opening round a 24-0 win to meet Belgium in the cup final.
Belgium went into the final needing to beat South Africa by 44 points or more in order to be crowned the overall World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series 2023 winners. South Africa, however, were determined to make it a clean sweep of championships in front of their home supporters.
Ayanda Malinga opened the scoring for the home team in the first minute, followed by another by Sizophila Solontsi to give them a 12-0 lead at half-time.
Belgium took the lead for the first time after a brace by the exceptional Blondiau in the second half, making her the top try scorer of the weekend with 12 tries. With a minute left to play, South Africa dug deep to get the winning try courtesy of Janse van Rensburg to emerge victorious 17-14.
With the back-to-back tournament wins, South Africa has qualified for the World Rugby Sevens Series 2024 as the 12th and final core team.” – World Rugby
The ultimate prize was at stake for the tournament winners in the women’s competition, which was decided by aggregate points over the two events. The South African women have officially earned a place at the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2024 as the 12th and final team.
The Challenger Series was introduced in 2020 to boost rugby sevens’ development across the globe and provide a pathway for promotion to the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.
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