The Springbok Women’s Sevens lost both their opening-day matches at the HSBC SVNS World Championship, against France and New Zealand, at Stade Atlantique in Bordeaux, France on Friday, 5 June 2026.
The opener against France delivered some positive moments in a 22-7 defeat, but it was a much tougher outing against New Zealand, where South Africa lost 42-0.
In their opening match against France, the Springbok Women’s Sevens tackled like demons, with their defensive set stopping the home side time after time. South Africa made 32 tackles in the match and most of them were effective, but not dominant enough to turn the French over or really slow down their attack.
It was an encouraging effort though, and the 22-7 scoreline probably flattered the French, who had some 50/50 calls going their way.
The match started with South Africa defending for three minutes and holding up France over the line. They then lost Ayanda Malinga to the sin bin, which opened the gap for France to score for a 5-0 lead.
The South Africans hit back though, and Maria Tshiremba scored after proper possession, breaking through a tackle with power before running with pace. Byrhandré Dolf converted and suddenly the South Africans were 7-5 up.
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France scored on the buzzer from a pass that could easily have been called forward, but it was not, and the hosts led 10-7 at the break.
The second half was more of the same, with the SA defence showing real commitment and effort, keeping France at bay time and time again, but something had to give and France scored a third for a 17-7 lead.
South Africa, one score away from a losing bonus point, kept plugging away, but with no success, and it was France who scored the final try for a 22-7 win.
Against New Zealand, the South Africans were under the pump from the start. The Kiwis scored from the kick-off, with a couple of deft passes opening up their defence for Manaia Nuku to score and convert her own try.
In a blink, the team in black got their second when Jorja Miller finished a slick move for another converted try.
A rare moment of possession delivered some excitement for the Springbok Women’s Sevens, but they lost the ball and New Zealand could launch again. Vianca Boer was given a yellow card for trying to slow play down following a penalty and Mahina Paul raced in with no one in front of her. The conversion was good and the lead was 21-0.
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From the restart, New Zealand scored again, winning the battle in the air and attacking the open space, and at the break held a 28-0 lead.
The second half continued in the same way. An early try by Katelyn Vahaakolo extended the lead into the thirties, not ideal for the South Africans who needed a positive points difference to get out of the pool.
Paul got her second from a counterattack, extending the lead into the forties. On Saturday, the Springbok Women’s Sevens’ final pool match is against Argentina at 14h16.
Springbok Women’s Sevens Day 1 Results at the HSBC SVNS World Championship, at the Stade Atlantique in Bordeaux, France, on Friday, 5 June, 2026
South Africa 7 (7) – France 22 (10)
South Africa: Try: Maria Tshiremba
Conversion: Byrhandré Dolf
France: Tries: Lou Noel (2), Léa Trollier, Hawa Tounkara
Conversion: Chloe Jacquet
South Africa 0 – New Zealand 42 (28)
New Zealand: Tries: Manaia Nuku (2), Jorja Miller, Mahina Paul (2), Katelyn Vahaakolo. Conversions: Manaia Nuku (4), Risi Pouri-Lane (2)
The Springbok Women’s Sevens final pool match vs. Argentina at the HSBC SVNS World Championship in Bordeaux, France on Saturday 6 June 2026 (CAT time):
Saturday 6 June, 14h16: South Africa vs. Argentina (Stade Atlantique, Bordeaux)
The Springbok Women’s Sevens Squad for the HSBC SVNS World Championship in Bordeaux, France
3 Patience Mokone
4 Zintle Mpupha (C)
7 Maria Tshiremba
10 Byrhandré Dolf
15 Vianca Boer
16 Shiniqwa Lamprecht
20 Catha Jacobs
21 Jané Mulder
22 Owami Mohuli
23 Ayanda Malinga
26 Lerato Makua
27 Maceala Samboya
30 Eloise Webb
Original Copy: SA Rugby, with editing by gsportse
Main Photo Caption: It was a demanding opening day in Bordeaux for the Springbok Women’s Sevens, who tackled like demons and led France 7-5 through a converted Maria Tshiremba try before going down 22-7, then ran into a clinical New Zealand side in a 42-0 defeat, leaving a decisive pool meeting with Argentina on Saturday to stay alive. Photo: Gallo Images / SA Rugby
