Bok Women Close Out SVNS 2 Nairobi With Statement Win And Second Place Finish

The Bok Women left Nairobi with more than just points on the table. They left with belief.

After a high-intensity weekend at the opening leg of the HSBC SVNS 2 series, South Africa’s Springbok Women’s Sevens side finished second overall, just one log point behind Argentina. It is a result that keeps their hopes firmly alive as the circuit heads to South America next month.

For a team determined to break back into the top tier of world sevens rugby, this was a statement.

A Final That Felt Like A Final

By the time South Africa faced Argentina on Sunday afternoon, everyone knew what was at stake.

Both teams had topped the standings going into their final clash, turning the fixture into an unofficial tournament decider. Argentina had been unbeaten up to that point, but the Bok Women refused to blink.

Argentina struck first, punishing soft tackles to take a 7-0 lead. But South Africa responded immediately through the electric Maria Tshiremba. Nadine Roos added the conversion and suddenly it was game on.

Then came one of the moments of the tournament. From a deep restart, Tshiremba spotted space and tore downfield for a breathtaking 97-metre try. Roos slotted the conversion and the teams went into halftime level at 7-7.

The second half was tense and scrappy. South Africa created chances but handling errors cost them momentum. Argentina edged ahead again, forcing the Bok Women to dig deep.

With time almost up, Patience Mokone crossed the line to level the scores. The potential match-winning conversion drifted wide, sending the contest into extra time.

In sudden death, Tshiremba once again stepped up. With just a minute remaining, she broke clear to seal a dramatic 17-12 victory. It was grit, pace and composure under pressure.

Momentum Built Earlier In The Day

The Argentina thriller would not have mattered without the earlier business against China.

South Africa produced one of their most complete performances of the tournament in a commanding 33-5 victory. Five unanswered tries told the story of a side growing in confidence and rhythm.

Tshiremba opened the scoring early before Ayanda Malinga followed up minutes later. Shannon-Lee Windvogel, playing her first tournament in national colours, marked the occasion with a try before halftime to give South Africa a 21-0 cushion.

Windvogel added another after the break, while Mokone rounded off a flowing team move. China managed a late consolation, but by then the damage was done.

It was sharp attack, organised defence and clinical finishing. Exactly what coaches want heading into the decisive legs of a campaign.

The Log And What It Means

Argentina finished the Nairobi leg on 13 points, with South Africa just behind on 12. Spain sit third on 11, followed by China and Kenya on six points each, while Brazil complete the standings on four.

That single log point difference is crucial, but it is far from decisive.

The top four teams after the South American tournaments in Uruguay and Brazil will get the opportunity to compete in the top-tier HSBC SVNS Rugby Championship. For South Africa, that is the ultimate prize.

A Team Finding Its Identity

This Bok Women squad is in a rebuilding phase, but there are clear signs of growth.

Tshiremba’s pace and instinct are becoming a genuine weapon on the circuit. Roos continues to offer leadership and composure with the boot. Young players like Windvogel are stepping up without fear.

In the broader South African rugby landscape, women’s sevens continues to fight for consistent recognition and resources. Performances like this strengthen the case for greater investment and support.

Finishing second in Nairobi is not the end goal. It is a platform.

With Uruguay and Brazil next on the calendar, the Bok Women have positioned themselves perfectly. If they maintain this intensity and cut out the small errors that nearly cost them against Argentina, a top-four finish is well within reach.

For now, Nairobi belongs to a team that refused to fold and finished strong when it mattered most.

{Source: SABC Sport}

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