The Springbok Women’s Sevens delivered a commanding performance on their road to victory at the HSBC SVNS 3 Series in Dubai, finishing the tournament unbeaten and clinching the title with a thrilling 12-5 win over Argentina in the final.
South Africa’s journey in Dubai was defined by grit, cohesion, and consistent execution across all five matches. After topping their pool with convincing victories — including a dominant win over Mexico and strong showings against Czechia and Thailand — the WomenBoks carried that momentum into the knockout rounds.
A comprehensive 36-5 semi-final victory against Poland set up a final against Argentina, where South Africa found themselves trailing at half-time. But with resilience and tactical discipline, the Bok Women responded in the second stanza. Zintle Mpupha levelled the scores deep into the match, and Patience Mokone crossed for what would prove to be the match-winning try. Captain Nadine Roos then coolly converted the pressure kick to seal the championship for South Africa.
This unbeaten run not only brought home the HSBC SVNS 3 title but also secured South Africa’s promotion to the HSBC SVNS 2 Series, setting up a three-event campaign in Nairobi, Montevideo and São Paulo later this year.
Standout Performer — Nadine Roos
A cornerstone of the WomenBoks’ remarkable Dubai campaign was captain Nadine Roos, whose leadership and consistency were pivotal throughout the tournament. Roos finished as the team’s top point-scorer, amassing 54 points from four tries and 17 conversions, and her composed game-management under pressure was central to the team’s success.
In recognition of her outstanding influence over the weekend, Roos was honoured as the Female Player of the Series — a testament to her skill, experience and inspiration as captain and playmaker.
