SA Sevens benefiting Bok Women

SPOTLIGHT: South Africa’s Women's sevens system is increasingly serving to benefit the fifteens game.

Under the guidance of South Africa Women's Sevens head coach Rendfred Dazel and assistant coach Cecil Africa, the team has been a dominant force in Africa.

Earlier this month they secured back-to-back Rugby Africa Women's Sevens Champions.

The side went unbeaten in Ghana and qualified for the 2025 World Rugby Challenger Series.

Fifteens stars Ayanda Malinga, Zintle Mpupha, Nadine Roos, Felicia Jacobs and Maria Tshiremba were all part of the triumphant sevens team after representing the Springboks Women in the WXV 2.

Although it was certainly a quick turnaround for the players, it is nothing new within the SA Rugby Women's set-up.

Earlier this month ahead of the Rugby Africa Women's Sevens tournament, Malinga admitted there are some challenges when you have to switch from one code to another.

However, she revealed playing both has been immensely beneficial for her.

"The first week from returning from fifteens to sevens I usually struggle," Malinga told @rugby365.

"However being a dual player and getting an opportunity to represent your country in fifteens and sevens means a lot to me.

"So going to play for your country is the best feeling ever."

Malinga has been performing in both arenas and revealed the skills she accumulated at sevens have positively impacted her fifteens form.

"The sevens literally impacts my game in many different ways," Malinga said, adding: "There is a lot of stuff that you take from sevens and go and implement in fifteen and it works.

"In sevens, there is quite a lot of space and in fifteen, there is very little space, so you have to use your footwork and that is one of the skills we work on in sevens.

"So you do benefit a lot when you do both."

It will be a case of juggling the dual athletes as Dazel tries to challenge at the World Challengers Series and claim a spot at the HSCB Sevens series.

Meanwhile, Springbok Women's head coach Swys de Bruin will have his work cut out for him as they prepare for the World Cup 2025.