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Olympic Games big boost to Springbok Women’s aspirations

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epa11385768 Spain's Jimena Blanco-Hortiguera (L) in action against South Africa's Nadine Roos (R) during Women's Rugby Sevens challenger playoffs match Spain vs South Africa at HSBC SVNS Grand Final tournament in Madrid, Spain, 02 June 2024. EPA/Victor Lerena

To be part of an event where 65 000 people vocally rooted for women’s sevens rugby was a feeling that she cannot describe, but close to that was the way the South African team fought for one another and their first victory at their first Olympic Games.

That was the view of Nadine Roos, the South African Women’s Sevens team’s most influential player at the 2024 Paris Olympics, after they beat Fiji by 21-15 to finish the tournament in 11th position.

“I cannot describe how it felt to play in front of a packed Stade de France, a stadium where rugby means a lot and one that was packed for all the sevens matches,” said Roos, who scored 35 of her team’s 55 points in Paris.

“The feeling was very, very special and we are super proud and privileged to be part of this spectacle, the pinnacle of world sport.

“We let ourselves down, especially in our matches against Australia and Ireland on the first day, but the matches against Great Britain and Japan were much closer and to finish the tournament with a win over Fiji was a great feeling.

“Our bodies were sore and losing four on the trot made us doubt ourselves a bit, but the way we came out and fought for each other and as a team was a feeling that all of us will remember for a long time.”

For Bok Women’s Sevens co-captain Zintle Mpupha, the victory over Fiji was very important for the squad and the sevens system.

“We did not come to just participate, we wanted to leave with something and beating Fiji was massive for us,” said Mpupha.

“We needed to leave some mark and this win did that. The season was up and down and we did not always perform as we wanted or was expected. But we managed to build depth and players got good exposure to what the world series and the Olympics demand from you.

“We are getting there, no doubt, maybe not as fast as we wanted, but we are moving forward and that is a positive for the season.”

Mpupha said the win was for the players from the previous squads that were denied entry to the 2016 and 2021 Olympics as well: “We were the first ones who could play here and we did it for those who could not make it in their time as well.”

SA points’ scorers:
35 – Nadine Roos (5 tries, 5 conversions)
10 – Libbie Janse van Rensburg (2 tries)
5 – Zintle Mpupha, Ayanda Malinga (1 try each)

Issued by SA Rugby Communications