Springbok Women’s Sevens head coach boost squad with Arries and Augustyn

Springbok Women’s Seven’s head coach Refred Dazel has included Bianca Augustyn and Alichia Arries for the next two HSBC SVNS tournaments in Vancouver and Los Angeles.

Arries, who was capped by the Springbok Women in 2021, made her World Series debut in Toulouse in Arries has now been recalled to national duty.

Augusty represented South Africa at the Commonwealth Games in 2022, but is yet to play in the World Series.

Ayanda Malinga has also been called. “It is great to have Ayanda and Alichia back as they will both add speed to our team, especially as playing and artificial pitch like we will have at BC Place, will reward speed.

I am also happy for Bianca, she jas been part of our development squad since last year and has worked had. We need to expand our base as we still have a long season ahead of us with the Olympic Games also on the calendar, and Bianca will get much needed experience on this trip” said Springbok Women’s Seven’s coach Refred Dazel.

The Springbok Women’s Seven’s will play against Ireland, New Zealand and Brazil.

“Our goals are clear, we are going to Canada to compete, there is no other option. We want to finish in the top eight and to do that, we must start making quarter-finals, so there is a real drive and desire from within.

Our opening game against Ireland will have some real spice, as their coach, Alan Temple-Jones was the strength and conditioning coach with the Springbok Seven’s for many years and we are still friends,” added Dazel.

Dazel said that he believes that their last game against New Zealand, in the season opener in Dubai, was their best performance but were unlucky to lose in the final minute.

He also believes that they need to win against Brazil as they were outplayed by them in Perth.

“There is a belief that we are doing the right things and are on the right track, both from management and players. So, we will travel to Canada with clear understanding that we are in control of our destiny,” Dazel continued to say.

Pool fixtures (SA times, all matches on SuperSport)

Forwards

• 4 Zintle Mpupha (co captain)
• 13 Kemisetso Baloyi
• 14 Simamkele Namba
• 18 Shiniqua Lamprecht
• 23 Bianca Augustyn
• 8 Shona-Leah Weston
• Backs
• 10 Mathrin Simmers (co-captain)
• 9 Nadine Roos
• 5 Marlize de Bruin
• 16 Maria Tshiremba
• 15 Allichia Arries
• 7 Eloise Webb
• 3 Ayanda Malinga