NEWS: The Springbok Women’s Sevens side were handed a challenging draw for the Africa Women’s Sevens tournament which takes place in Ghana.
The Bok Sevens Women are drawn in Pool A alongside Tunisia, Zimbabwe and Burkina Faso.
The top three sides at the tournament, which will take place in Accra on November 9 and 10 – will qualify for the World Rugby Challenger Series next year.
Kenya, who contested the Final with South Africa last year in Tunisia, will come up against Madagascar, Ghana and Mauritius in Pool B while Uganda, Zambia, Senegal and Côte D’Ivoire will contest Pool C.
South Africa, who has won all 11 previous Africa Women’s Sevens events they participated in, have started their title defence preparations at their home base in Stellenbosch already.
According to head coach Renfred Dazel, they are determined to arrive in Accra totally prepared for the tournament which will take place at the Rugby Stadium at the University of Ghana.
The venue is the first purpose built rugby stadium in the country and has hosted the 2023 African Games.
Dazel said the early focus of their camps post the Olympic Games was on development, as new players were brought into camp in order to expand their playing base.
A number of Olympians were also drafted into the Springbok Women Squad for the recently held WXV 2 in Cape Town.
It is all hands on deck for the Bok Women Sevens side for the African showpiece, with the draw highlighting just how competitive the women’s game in Africa is becoming, Dazel said.
“We have had some very close results in recent years and the standard of rugby is improving every time we travel to this tournament,” said Dazel.
“With a new venue this time around as well, it is great to be part of the growth of the game on the continent.”
The Bok Women have regrouped well since their last outing where they defeated Fiji in their final match of the Olympic Games in Paris – and the focus is getting everyone on the same page.
“We have some experienced players back into the fold after WXV and they have slotted in well, while at the same time we are able to expose the newer group of players to the intensity and pace of sevens rugby at international level,” said Dazel.
“This tournament is crucial for us as we start our mission to get back onto the world series via the Challenger Series and we are not taking any chances or short cuts. We will travel to Ghana as best prepared as we can be.”
Pool matches will take place on Saturday, November 9 with the play-off matches taking place on Sunday, November 10.
The match schedule will be announced on Monday, November 4.
South Africa will depart for Ghana on November 6.
Pools for the Africa Women’s Sevens:
Pool A: South Africa, Tunisia, Zimbabwe, Burkina Faso
Pool B: Kenya, Madagascar, Ghana, Mauritius
Pool C: Uganda, Zambia, Senegal, Côte D’Ivoire
