Blitzbok Women Explode Into Action to Claim Top Spot in Uruguay SVNS 2 Standings

South Africa’s Women’s Sevens team bounces back from a narrow loss to Spain with two massive shutout wins against China and Brazil in Uruguay.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 23, 2026, 9:36 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Rugby365

Resilience Following a Weather-Struck Opener

The South African campaign at the Estadio Charrua began under challenging conditions, as a localized rainstorm and early disciplinary issues hampered their performance against Spain. An early yellow card for Ayanda Malinga allowed the Spanish side to cross for three tries in the first seven minutes. Despite a spirited second half comeback led by Nadine Roos, the South Africans fell just short in a 14,15 loss. Coach Cecil Afrika reportedly delivered a stern tactical reassessment following the match, which served as the catalyst for a dramatic shift in momentum.

Dominant Response Against China

The Blitzbok Women responded to their opening setback with a clinical 38,0) demolition of China. Ayanda Malinga redeemed her earlier dismissal by securing a hat trick, showcasing the high tempo attacking play that has become the hallmark of the South African sevens system. The defensive effort was equally impressive, as the South Africans denied the Chinese team any territorial advantage or scoring opportunities. This significant winning margin proved crucial for the tournament standings, elevating South Africa to the top of the log on points difference.

Shutout Victory Over Brazil Confirms Standing

The momentum continued in the final match of the day with a 26,0 victory over Brazil. This result was particularly significant as it reversed a previous defeat suffered against the South Americans earlier in the season in Kenya. Nadine Roos continued her prolific form with a brace of tries, while Maria Tshiremba’s footwork created multiple line breaks. A notable highlight was the try scored by Catha Jacobs, marking a successful return to the sevens code for the first time since 2020. The victory ensured that South Africa ended the first day of competition with the most potent offensive and defensive record in the women's division.