The South African women’s national rugby team has received acclaim throughout the continent after supporting a gallant and strong showing at the just-concluded sevens event in Kenya.
The Bok Women Sevens were not the team that won the final award, but their performance in terms of character and their dogged battle to the end won the hearts of both fans and pundits. With a competitive environment that was very fast-paced and with physical intensity and tactical accuracy, the South Africans were tall enough to compete with their rivals stride by stride.
At the pool phase, through the knockout, the team displayed defensive strength and attack prowess. The fact that they were quick offloading, organised in formation, and competed to breakdown were the factor that kept them competitive in closely contested fights. The Bok Women were not going to give up, as they high-pressed all the time, and chased every scoring opportunity despite being behind.
The Kenyan fans who love rugby sevens highly appreciated this effort by the visitors with applause. The electric environment within the stadium marked the increasing popularity of women’s rugby in Africa and the tournament was a festival of talent and sports.
It is the performance that has been used by sports analysts across Africa as an indication of the gradual development of the women’s game. Greater exposure to continental games is heightening tactical knowledge and a sharp mental hardiness amongst players. In the case of South Africa, the Kenyan experience was a lesson that will inform future campaigns in the international arena.
According to team officials, this type of tournament is instrumental in affecting consistency and depth of the squad. Playing on the spot, especially off home ground, is a challenge to the team spirit, and in Kenya, the Bok Women proved how well unified and strong-willed they are now.
It might be that the silverware did evade them this time around, but the respect that they gained throughout Africa is worth a million dollars. Their boldness when faced with pressure and their inability to give up have strengthened their position as a force in African women’s rugby.
The performance of the Bok Women Sevens in Kenya is still a reminder that the growth in the sevens circuit is not only gauged by the number of trophies, but also by heart, growth and belief.
