A heartfelt welcome from SESI Rugby in Brazil gave the Springbok Women’s Sevens a warm welcome before the intensity of competition began.
São Paulo, Brazil (29 March 2026) – Before a single pass could be thrown, the Springbok Women’s Sevens were already smiling, and it had nothing to do with rugby.
Touching down in São Paulo for their next stop on the HSBC SVNS series, the South African squad were met with the kind of welcome that goes beyond sport. At SESI Rugby, a group of young players gathered to greet them with song, dance and proudly waved South African flags. Different countries, different languages, but one shared love for the game.
And while the focus would shift back to rugby, it was clear the team were in a much better space heading into this leg of the competition. After a challenging travel schedule the week before, the squad had time to properly settle in, reset and prepare.
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Playmaker Byrhandré Dolf shared that the extra time made a real difference, allowing the team to review their performances, sharpen up on small details, approaching the weekend with more clarity.
There was also a sense of freedom in the camp. With qualification for the World Rugby Championship already secured, the pressure lifted slightly, giving the players a chance to express themselves and play with confidence.
Their opening clash against Spain offered an opportunity to do just that, especially after a narrow loss in their previous meeting. But beyond the tactics and matchups, this weekend felt like something more.
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One notable absence was top try-scorer Maria Tshiremba, who has been rested due to a niggle, but the squad remained confident in their depth and unity.
Still, that welcome in Brazil set the tone.
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