Springbok Women’s Sevens Beat Argentina to Reach Ninth-Place Final Despite Agonising Fiji Defeat in Spain
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Springbok Women’s Sevens Beat Argentina to Reach Ninth-Place Final Despite Agonising Fiji Defeat in Spain

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The Springbok Women’s Sevens secured a place in the ninth-place final at the HSBC SVNS World Championship with a dramatic 19-17 victory over Argentina on Day 2 of the tournament at Estadio José Zorrilla in Valladolid, Spain, on Saturday, 30 May 2026.

The squad will face Brazil in the ninth-place final on Sunday at 12h15 (SA time), with the match live on SuperSport.

Their hopes of securing a place on the HSBC SVNS Series for 2027 remain precarious, however, following an agonising 17-12 defeat to Fiji in their final Pool B match earlier in the day, a result that means South Africa will need an exceptional set of results at the next tournament in Bordeaux to finish in the top eight and guarantee their place on the circuit for the following season.

After the much-improved performances on Friday in hard-fought losses to Australia and the USA, the Springbok Women’s Sevens came out with intent against Fiji in a match that required a win and the denial of a bonus point to their opponents.

The return of Lerato Makua from suspension strengthened the squad, while coach Cecil Afrika’s decision to start with both Eloise Webb and Byrhandré Dolf added creative options in the playmaking channels.

South Africa made an encouraging start, launching several good attacks, with Ayanda Malinga stopped near the line and Maria Tshiremba losing the ball over it. From the resulting scrum, Fiji lost possession in their in-goal and Dolf scored a well-deserved try for pressure applied.

Fiji responded to regain the lead with a converted try, taking the score to 7-5, before a further try from poor execution in the South African half took Fiji to a 12-5 lead at the interval.

The lead was extended early in the second half when Reapi Ulunisau ghosted past several defenders to score in the corner, taking Fiji to 17-5. It was the Fijian veteran’s 100th HSBC SVNS try, and a memorable one.

South Africa responded with purpose. Tshiremba confirmed her growing reputation with a try and Dolf converted to cut the deficit to 17-12. 

Tshiremba was then yellow-carded for a high tackle, but despite that setback, the Springbok Women’s Sevens continued pressing for a winning score. A late attacking opportunity came to nothing when a final pass from Malinga went astray, and Fiji held on for a 17-12 win.

Against Argentina in the ninth-place semi-final, the Dolf and Webb combination produced another effective performance. Argentina, who had won the four previous encounters between the sides, struck first before the Springbok Women’s Sevens responded in style.

Webb straightened the line and sent Malinga clear on a 60-metre dash, with Dolf converting for a 7-5 lead. Webb then turned provider into scorer, running onto a Dolf grubber kick for a converted try that extended the lead to 12-5.

Argentina pulled it back to 12-10 early in the second half when South Africa lost the restart, setting up a tense finale. Springbok Women’s Sevens captain Zintle Mpupha settled the matter with a try-scoring run from a well-timed Dolf pass, and with the conversion successful the lead moved to 19-10. Argentina added a score after the final buzzer, but it was not enough as South Africa closed out a 19-17 win and a place in Sunday’s ninth-place final.

Springbok Women’s Sevens Day 2 Results at the HSBC SVNS World Championship, Estadio José Zorrilla, Valladolid, Spain, on Saturday, 30 May 2026

South Africa 12 (5) – Fiji 17 (12)

South Africa: Tries: Byrhandré Dolf, Maria Tshiremba
Conversion: Dolf

Fiji: Tries: Atelaite Buna Ralivanawa, Rogosau Adimereani, Reapi Ulunisau
Conversion: Mariana Talatoka

South Africa 19 (12) – Argentina 17 (5)

South Africa: Tries: Ayanda Malinga, Eloise Webb, Zintle Mpupha
Conversions: Byrhandré Dolf (2)

Argentina: Tries: Sofía González (2), Marianela Escalante
Conversion: González

Springbok Women’s Sevens Ninth-Place Final Fixture at the HSBC SVNS World Championship, Estadio José Zorrilla, Valladolid, Spain, on Sunday, 31 May 2026

12h15: Brazil vs. Springbok Women’s Sevens at Estadio José Zorrilla, Valladolid

Springbok Women’s Sevens Results on Day 1

South Africa 12 (7) – Australia 26 (26)

South Africa: Tries: Maria Tshiremba, Eloise Webb
Conversion: Byrhandré Dolf

Australia: Tries: Madison Ashby, Maddison Levi (3)
Conversions: Teagan Levi, Kahli Henwood (2)

South Africa 12 (7) – USA 26 (14)

South Africa: Tries: Ayanda Malinga, Byrhandré Dolf
Conversion: Dolf

USA: Tries: Kaylen Thomas (2), Su Adegoke, Ariana Ramsey
Conversions: Sariah Ibarra (2), Kayla Canett

Springbok Women’s Sevens Squad for Valladolid

3. Patience Mokone, uncapped
4. Zintle Mpupha (captain), 13 tournaments, 65 points (13 tries)
7. Maria Tshiremba, 7 tournaments, 70 points (14 tries)
10. Byrhandré Dolf, 4 tournaments, 8 points (4 conversions)
15. Vianca Boer, uncapped
16. Shiniqwa Lamprecht, 9 tournaments, 0 points
20. Catha Jacobs, 2 tournaments, 0 points
21. Jané Mulder, 1 tournament, 0 points
22. Owami Mohuli, 1 tournament, 0 points
23. Ayanda Malinga, 9 tournaments, 70 points (14 tries)
26. Lerato Makua, 2 tournaments, 5 points (one try)
27. Maceala Samboya, 1 tournament, 0 points
30. Eloise Webb, 10 tournaments, 7 points (1 try, 1 conversion)

Original Copy: SA Rugby Communications, with editing by gsport

Main Photo Caption: Lerato Makua drives hard into the Fiji defence during the Springbok Women’s Sevens’ final Pool B clash at the HSBC SVNS World Championship at Estadio José Zorrilla in Valladolid, Spain, on Saturday, 30 May 2026. Photo: Supplied Photo: Gallo Images / SA Rugby

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