Desert Queens: Women Boks Conquer Dubai

Karen Scheepers
11 hours ago
2 min read

The Springbok Women’s Sevens have firmly asserted their dominance on the international stage, clinching the HSBC SVNS 3 title in Dubai with a flawless, unbeaten campaign. Under the clinical guidance of head coach Cecil Afrika, the South African side showcased a masterclass in tactical discipline and defensive grit, proving they are a force to be reckoned with as they climb the global rugby ladder toward the 2026 season goals.

A Masterclass in the Group Stages

The journey to the podium began with a "date with destiny" in the desert heat on Saturday, January 17. Facing three opponents with vastly different playing styles, the Bok Women executed their game plan to perfection.

The South Africans opened their account by dismantling Mexico 61–00, laying a massive foundation through pace and precision. They followed this by navigating a physical encounter against Czechia, winning 24–05 despite the high intensity of the European side. They closed out Day 1 by outsmarting a technically sound Thailand team 33–05, ensuring they finished at the top of Pool A with a perfect record.

Sunday Dominance: The Path to Gold

The momentum carried into the knockout stages on Sunday, where the South Africans proved they could maintain their "tempo and control" under pressure. In the morning semifinal, they faced a spirited Poland side. The Boks remained composed, utilizing their superior tactical analysis to secure a comfortable 36–05 victory and punch their ticket to the main event.

The final against Argentina proved to be the ultimate test of character. In a tense, low-scoring affair, the Bok Women showed immense resilience. After falling behind, they fought back with clinical defensive sets to secure a 12–05 win, crowning them the undisputed queens of the Dubai invitational.

Leadership and Statistical Brilliance

Coach Cecil Afrika, who has now secured two consecutive titles since taking the reins in October, credited the victory to the team’s collective work ethic. "Overall, I think we got the balance right at this tournament," Afrika noted. "When we needed to, we defended our line very well and when the opportunity came, we could switch to attack and scored some really nice tries."

The individual statistics from the desert campaign reflect this excellence:

Most Points: Captain Nadine Roos led from the front with 54 points (comprising 4 tries and 17 conversions).
Most Tries: The explosive Maria Tshiremba finished as the tournament's leading finisher with 7 tries.

The Road Ahead

By securing the Dubai title, the Bok Women have officially qualified for the HSBC SVNS 2 series. Their journey continues next month in Nairobi (February 14–15), followed by legs in Montevideo and Sao Paulo. As the squad returns to Cape Town this Monday, they do so not just as champions, but as a team that has proven they belong on the world's biggest stages.