Redemption in Nairobi: Springbok Women’s Sevens Target Promotion in SVNS 2 Opener

The road to the elite World Series enters a critical new phase this weekend as the Springbok Women’s Sevens arrive in Nairobi, Kenya, for the inaugural round of the HSBC SVNS 2. Following a dominant, undefeated display to claim the SVNS 3 title in Dubai last month, Cecil Afrika’s side now faces a grueling five-match sprint at the Nyayo National Stadium. With the tournament format shifting to a pure league style, every try, conversion, and bonus point will be vital in the hunt for a top-four aggregate finish across the three-leg series.

Squad Continuity and New Blood

Head coach Cecil Afrika has opted for stability, retaining ten players from the victorious Dubai campaign. The most notable addition is former SWD Eagirls speedster Shannon-Lee Windvogel, who is set to earn her international debut in place of the injured Vianca Boer. Adding further physicality to the roster is Lerato Makua, who returns to the sevens fold to replace Zintle Mpupha. Captained by the clinical Nadine Roos, the squad blends the "tried and tested" core with explosive young talent, a combination Afrika believes is ready for the unique pressure of this second-tier bridge.

A New Format, A Familiar Battlefield

Unlike the traditional pool-and-knockout structure, the SVNS 2 Nairobi leg features six teams playing each other once in a round-robin format. South Africa will face Spain, Brazil, and Kenya on Saturday, followed by China and Argentina on Sunday. The opener against Spain carries significant weight; it was a loss to the Spanish side in Madrid last year that relegated the South Africans from the top tier. Returning to Nairobi provides a psychological boost, as the team secured the Rugby Africa Women’s Sevens Championship at this very venue just a year ago.

Tournament Schedule: Nyayo National Stadium (SA Times)

Saturday, 14 February

• 08:22 – RSA vs Spain (SuperSport 211)

• 11:24 – RSA vs Brazil (SuperSport 207 & 211)

• 14:48 – RSA vs Kenya (SuperSport 207 & 211)

Sunday, 15 February

• 10:00 – RSA vs China (SuperSport 211)

• 14:12 – RSA vs Argentina (SuperSport 211)

Springbok Women’s Sevens Travel Squad

1. Leigh Fortuin

2. Asisipho Plaatjies

3. Patience Mokone

4. Maria Tshiremba

5. Nadine Roos (C)

6. Byrhandré Dolf

7. Liske Lategan

8. Simamkele Namba

9. Shiniqwa Lamprecht

10. Ayanda Malinga

11. Lerato Makua

12. Shannon-Lee Windvogel

As the first of three rounds, with future stops in Montevideo and São Paulo, the stakes in Nairobi couldn't be higher. Cecil Afrika’s charges know that consistency is the only currency that matters in this format. If the "Bok Women" can replicate the defensive discipline and clinical execution seen in Dubai, they will take a massive step toward reclaiming their place among the world’s elite.

#BokWomen7s #HSBCSVNS2 #Nairobi7s #South AfricanRugby

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