The South African Women’s Sevens team fell to Kenya in the dying seconds of the Playoff final, missing out on a place in the HSBC SVNS Series Division Two. Image: Youtube Screenshot.
(The Post News)- While the South African men’s side celebrated World Championship success, the women’s team suffered heartbreak, narrowly missing out on automatic qualification for the newly introduced Division Two of the HSBC World SVNS Series.
The result means Kenya’s Shujaa Women progress to Division Two next season, while South Africa must now attempt to qualify through regional competitions.
It was a dramatic end to a complex qualification process. China, Brazil and Spain secured automatic spots after winning their pools. Second- and third-placed teams were entered into playoffs for the remaining two spots. Spain edged Argentina in one, while the SA-Kenya clash decided the final place.
Earlier in the tournament, South Africa fought hard to beat Argentina 17-14 in their final pool match to finish second and earn a shot at qualification. But it wasn’t enough.
Kenya’s men’s team also secured their Division Two place, defeating Canada 24-5 in their playoff final — a moment of double triumph for Kenyan rugby.
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