Momentum rising, confidence soaring – the Springbok Women’s Sevens ‘A’ squad is proving unstoppable in Dubai. Their powerful performances on day two of the Emirates Dubai 7s kept their unbeaten streak alive and secured them a well-earned place in the International Invitational semi-finals. But here’s where it gets interesting – their resilience under pressure suggests this team might be ready to make an even bigger statement on the global stage.
The South Africans continued their impressive run with a 19-12 win over Poland before holding Ireland Invitational to a tense 17-17 draw. These results came after two confident victories on the opening day, confirming their position among the tournament’s top contenders.
On Sunday at 13h00 (South African time), they’ll face Brazil in what promises to be a fierce semi-final clash. Meanwhile, the other side of the bracket sees Australia A take on Ireland Invitational — setting up a potential showdown that could challenge even the strongest predictions.
Saturday’s first match was a showcase of clinical execution. Captain Shiniqwa Lamprecht opened the scoring with a well-timed try beneath the posts, calmly converted to give her team an early 7-0 lead. Just before halftime, Patience Mokone displayed impressive strength and speed to stretch the advantage to 12-0, leaving Polish defenders chasing shadows.
Poland fought back admirably with a converted try soon after the break, threatening to shift the game’s momentum. But from the restart, Byrhandré Dolf produced the standout moment of the match—a blistering 80-meter sprint that left defenders in her wake. She converted her own try to make it 19-7, tightening South Africa’s grip on the contest. Despite Poland’s late rally and another try in the dying moments, South Africa held firm for a 19-12 victory.
Their second match of the day told a different story — one of comeback and grit. The Irish Invitational side dominated early, running in three tries before halftime and leaving South Africa trailing badly. Yet, what followed demonstrated the Springbok spirit perfectly. In a thrilling second half, the women in green and gold turned the tables with three well-crafted tries, one converted by Dolf, leveling the score at 17-17. Their determination kept their unbeaten record intact and showed how mental toughness matters just as much as skill.
Match summaries:
Springbok Women’s Sevens ‘A’ 19 (12), Poland 12 (7)
Tries: Shiniqwa Lamprecht, Patience Mokone, Byrhandré Dolf.
Conversion: Byrhandré Dolf.
Springbok Women’s Sevens ‘A’ 17 (0), Ireland Invitational 17 (17)
Tries: Vianca Boer, Shannon-Lee Windvogel, Shiniqwa Lamprecht.
Conversion: Byrhandré Dolf.
What does this mean for the team going forward? Their consistency, depth, and composure suggest they’re developing into a world-class unit capable of challenging stronger nations. Yet, some might argue that sealing a win against elite opposition like Ireland remains the real test. Was this draw a sign of progress or a missed opportunity?
The conversation is wide open: Are the Springbok Women’s Sevens ‘A’ delivering a glimpse of South Africa’s rugby future, or do they still have mountains to climb before reaching that elite level? Share your take – are they ready to conquer the next challenge?
