/ 12 November 2013

SA women’s Sevens team to play in international series

Sa Women's Sevens Team To Play In International Series

The South African Select Team of Women's Sevens to participate in an invitational tournament in Dubai features a balance of experience and youth, says Springbok Women's Sevens coach Renfred Dazel.

"We are looking forward to the competition. We are in the process of building a new team and we believe the balance of youth and experience in the squad will provide a solid platform to build from," Dazel said on Tuesday.

"This will also be a good opportunity to expose the younger players to Sevens rugby at a high level and to face some international opposition."

He said the tournament was also important to groom the players for the qualifying stages of the 2016 Olympic Games.

The 12-member squad would participate in the Dubai tournament from November 28 to 30.

SA Sevens stars Zenay Jordaan, Veroeshka Grain, Mathrin Simmers and Phumeza Gadu, who participated in the 2013 Rugby World Cup Sevens in Moscow in June, form the core of the group while there were seven players earning their first call-ups.

The squad
The team would face Belgium, the West Coast Vikings, Tuks Ladies and the Moscow Region teams in the round-robin stages on November 29, with the cup and plate semifinals and finals set to take place on November 30.

The squad, which has been based in Port Elizabeth for the last two months, would depart for Dubai on November 24.

SA Select Women's Sevens team: Zenay Jordaan, Marithy Pienaar, Veroeshka Grain, Ntombifuthi Sibiloane, Rachelle Geldenhuys, Daphne Scheepers, Mathrin Simmers, Nomaphelo Mayongo, Phumeza Gadu, Nicolene Barendse, Nomsa Mokwai, Siviwe Basweni. Reserves: Fundiswa Plaatjie, Nosiphiwo Goda. – Sapa