With the same 12 players retained from their Rugby Africa Sevens title win, coach Cecil Afrika believes continuity and self-belief will be key in the World Rugby Challenger Series.
South Africa (13 January 2026) – Springbok Women’s Sevens coach Cecil Afrika says excitement is building as the team prepares to return to Dubai for a crucial World Rugby Challenger Series tournament, HSBC SVNS 3 tournament at the Sevens Stadium. The squad will once again be led by Nadine Roos with an emphasis on opportunity, growth and seeing hard work pay off.
For Cecil, the biggest source of excitement lies not only in the importance of the tournament but in watching the players express themselves on the field after weeks of intense preparation.
“The exciting part about this weekend is the opportunity to play. To see the girls really enjoy themselves and to see the work they’ve done come together.”
South Africa heads into the tournament with the same squad of 12 players that claimed the Rugby Africa Women’s Sevens title in Kenya, a decision Cecil believes is vital for a team that does not have frequent competitive exposure. Continuity, he explained, has been a key consideration in selection.
“We want to build continuity because we don’t play a lot of games. We believe that these 12 will be able to do the job.”
The tournament represents a significant step in the Springbok Women’s Sevens’ journey back to core status on the World Series, with a place in the final required to progress to the next stage of qualification. While the stakes are high, Cecil insists the team’s focus remains firmly on their own performance rather than external pressure.
Drawn in Pool A alongside Mexico, Czechia and Thailand, South Africa faces a diverse set of opponents. Cecil, however, stressed that the team’s approach will be rooted in self-improvement and execution.
“We are looking forward to playing against those teams. Our focus is on ourselves, making sure we grow from the training field to the game and keep our focus on implementing our understanding and processes.”
Reflecting on a challenging outing in Dubai in December, Cecil revealed that the current campaign also carries a longer-term vision. A youthful squad has been intentionally selected, with the aim of creating opportunities for players who have shown their commitment and potential.
“We’ve intentionally selected a young team for Dubai. It’s about providing opportunities to the ladies who put their hands up in a massive way. We’re really looking forward to seeing what they can do.”
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Sources: GTG Interview
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