It was never going to be easy. Not with half the squad sidelined and combinations thrown together at the last minute. But if there is one thing South Africa’s Bok Women Sevens side proved in Sao Paulo, it is that resilience still runs deep in this team.
Down to just eight available players at one stage, the injury-hit squad dug deep to end their HSBC SVNS 2 campaign on a winning note, finishing fifth after a hard-fought victory over China.
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Injuries Test Squad Depth
Coming into the final tournament, the Bok Women were already on the back foot. Key players like Nadine Roos, Simamkele Namba, Liske Lategan, Shannon-Leigh Windvogel and Patience Mokone were all ruled out through injury.
That forced the team into unfamiliar territory. Players who had never started together were suddenly tasked with taking on top opposition. Against Argentina, that lack of cohesion showed.
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Argentina Capitalise On Early Pressure
South Africa’s clash with Argentina carried weight. Both sides entered the tournament as top contenders, but the depleted Bok Women struggled to convert defensive effort into attacking impact.
Argentina struck early and controlled large parts of the match. Although Ayanda Malinga crossed the line to give South Africa hope, missed opportunities and defensive lapses allowed Argentina to pull away for a 19-5 win.
It was a reminder of how thin the margins are in sevens rugby, especially when depth is stretched.
Fighting Spirit Defines Comeback Against China
If the Argentina game exposed the challenges, the match against China showcased the character of this team.
Trailing 10-0 at halftime and visibly fatigued, South Africa could have faded. Instead, they found another gear.
Asisipho Plaatjies sparked the comeback with a crucial try, cutting the deficit and shifting momentum. Suddenly, belief returned.
Then came the defining moment. Shanidinè Bezuidenhout, better known in South African sporting circles for her netball background, stepped up in style. Playing at scrumhalf, she sliced through a narrow gap to score under the posts, sealing a dramatic 14-10 victory.
It was not just the winning try. It was her first for South Africa. A breakthrough moment in a pressure situation.
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A Performance That Speaks Beyond Results
Finishing fifth might not grab headlines, but context matters. This was a squad held together by determination rather than depth.
In South African rugby, where the spotlight often shines brightest on the men’s game, performances like this continue to highlight the steady rise of the women’s programme. The Bok Women Sevens are building something that goes beyond results. It is about resilience, growth and creating a wider pathway for female athletes.
Sao Paulo will be remembered less for where they finished and more for how they got there. Short on numbers, but never short on heart.
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Source: SABC Sport
Featured Image Source: Women Boks on X
