The Springbok Women’s Sevens delivered a performance of real fighting spirit on Day 1 of the HSBC SVNS World Championship despite going down 26-12 to both Australia and the USA at Estadio José Zorrilla in Valladolid, Spain, on Friday, 29 May 2026.
Though the results did not go South Africa’s way, coach Cecil Afrika’s squad showed a marked improvement from their Hong Kong campaign, competing hard throughout both matches and demonstrating the kind of resolve that bodes well for their crucial final pool clash against Fiji on Saturday morning.
Against Australia in their opening match, the Springbok Women’s Sevens were made to pay for a difficult first half but came roaring back after the break, with Eloise Webb running hard down the touchline and beating two defenders with a sharp step to score the only try of the second half.
The Bok Women tackled hard and dominated the second half, forcing a frustrated Australia into repeated handling errors and denying them any further scoring opportunity. Ultimately, though, four first-half tries determined the outcome, with Maddison Levi scoring a hat-trick to steer Australia into a 26-7 lead at the interval.
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Australia struck first when a penalty kick for touch did not find touch, and the Australians attacked from deep to allow Madison Ashby to score under the posts. From the restart, however, Ayanda Malinga created a gap and soft hands from Vianca Boer gave Maria Tshiremba space to attack. The speedster needed no second invitation, running 70 metres to score under the posts, with Byrhandré Dolf converting to level at 7-7.
Further South African errors proved costly. From the restart, Levi ran onto an inside pass to extend the lead, then added her second with another long-range effort to make it 21-7 before completing her hat-trick in the final play of the half following a turnover that created a scramble in the South African defence.
The second half, however, belonged to the Springbok Women’s Sevens, and the brave performance will have boosted the squad’s belief ahead of their match against the USA.
In the second match, the Springbok Women’s Sevens produced another determined effort, pushing the USA all the way before going down 26-12.
Kaylen Thomas opened the scoring for the USA against the run of play, intercepting from a fourth consecutive South African ruck to run in under the posts. A further turnover from the restart handed the USA their second try within minutes, leaving the Bok Women 14-0 down.
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From there, the match was tighter, with Malinga reducing the deficit to 14-7 at half-time after breaking free from a scrum and running in from 50 metres, with Dolf converting.
South Africa scored first in the second half. From a scrum, Dolf received from Boer and drove hard down the touchline to score in the corner, but the conversion was missed, leaving the Springbok Women’s Sevens two points shy of drawing level.
A second try from Thomas extended the USA lead to 21-12, before Ariana Ramsey sealed the result with a long-range effort to close out a 26-12 win.
The Springbok Women’s Sevens must beat Fiji in their final pool match on Saturday morning to stay in contention for a top-eight placing at the World Championship. As Fiji beat the USA in their opening match, a substantial winning margin may be required, with points difference potentially deciding which teams advance to the quarter-finals.
Springbok Women’s Sevens Results on Day 1 of the HSBC SVNS World Championship at Estadio José Zorrilla, Valladolid, Spain, on Friday, 29 May 2026
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 Day 2 Fixture at the HSBC SVNS World Championship, Estadio José Zorrilla, Valladolid, Spain, on Saturday, 30 May 2026
10h00: Springbok Women’s Sevens vs. Fiji
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: Maria Tshiremba was the first to dot down for the Springbok Women on a trying Day 1 at the HSBC SVNS World Championship at Estadio José Zorrilla in Valladolid, Spain on Friday, 29 May, 2026. Photo: Gallo Images / SA Rugby
