CAPE TOWN – The Springbok Women’s Sevens have been crowned champions of the first World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series tournament in Stellenbosch on Saturday.
The South African side defeated Belgium by 17-10 in a pulsating final in a rainy wet Stellenbosch.
It means the South Africans finished the tournament unbeaten after they booked their place in the final with a 5-0 win over China earlier on Saturday.
In the final, early mistakes were costly for the host nation as the Belgians raced to a 10-0 lead after tries from Nele Pien and Emilie Musch in the first four minutes.
Ayanda Malinga pulled one back for South Africa with a try shortly before the break to make it 10-5.
The second half belonged to the Bok Women though as they grew in confidence, despite losing a player to a yellow card. They defended well, played most of the half in Belgium’s territory and pounced on mistakes by their opponents.
Nadine Roos put them ahead with a converted try from a sniping run off the back of an attacking scrum in the 12th minute, and two minutes later Marlize de Bruin’s five-pointer, from a turnover, all but sealed the win.
The Springbok Women’s Sevens are first seeds for next weekend’s tournament and will face Thailand, Madagascar and Paraguay in Pool A.
