Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Stats Pack Springbok Women’s Sevens
Rugby Afrique Olympic Qualifier
Barnard Stadium, Kempton Park,
South Africa
26-27 September 2015
Content
Message from the coach
Schedule
Pools and Fixtures
Player Profiles
Message from the Springbok Women’s Sevens coach Message from the Springbok Women’s Sevens coach
This has been a year of mixed emotions for us a team.
It has been extremely rewarding in the sense that we participated on the World Rugby Women’s
Sevens Series for the first time as a core team, while I am also pleased with the steady improvement
the team has made in terms of our quality of play since last year.
But it has also had its challenges, the biggest of which was the disappointment of not performing as
well as we would have liked to on the World Series. It was equally disappointing to lose our place as a
core team on the World Series after going down to Ireland in the Semi-final of the World Series
Qualifier in Dublin.
With that now behind us, we have another massive opportunity – to meet the qualifying criteria for
the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. And I hope that we can achieve this huge feat at the Barnard Stadium in
Kempton Park, Johannesburg, this weekend.
That said, our Olympic fate is out of our hands even if we win the Rugby Africa Women’s Sevens
Olympic Qualifier, as the ultimate decision on which teams will travel to Rio lies with the South African
Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC). But despite this, our goal remains to win.
As if that were not enough motivation to emerge victorious, this will be the first tournament we play
on home soil as the Springbok Women’s Sevens team, and we are really looking forward to the
opportunity to play in front of our fans, family and friends.
That said, we are expecting a tough tournament, as every one of the participating teams will have the
same goal, to qualify for the Olympic Games - one of the biggest sport extravaganzas in the world –
and none of them will hold back.
Thank you for your support and I assure you, we will do our best in the tournament.
Renfred Dazel
Rugby Africa Women’s Sevens Olympic Qualifier
Venue: Barnard Stadium, Kempton Park
City: Johannesburg
Pools:
Pool A: South Africa, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Namibia, Zambia
Pool B: Kenya, Tunisia, Madagascar, Senegal, Botswana
South Africa Pool fixtures:
Saturday, 26 September
10h00 – South Africa vs Zambia
11h40 – South Africa vs Namibia
14h00 – South Africa vs Zimbabwe
Sunday, 27 September:
11h00 – South Africa vs Uganda
#Follow the Springbok Women’s Sevens team on Twitter on @womenboks
Player Profiles:
Lorinda Brown (World Series Appearances: 6)
Physical: 162cm & 60,8kg. DOB: 16/12/1983, Middelburg, Eastern Cape
Education: Ellen Oliver Primary School, Middellande Senior Secondary
Fast Facts: Brown is a seasoned Springbok Women’s Sevens campaigner and one of the first contracted
Women’s players in South Africa. She made her Springbok Sevens debut in 2008 and since then she has
participated in the 2009 and 2013 Rugby World Cup Sevens tournaments. She was a key member of
the squad in 2014, which saw her participate in the all the tournaments including the Hong Kong
Invitational, Confederation of African Rugby (CAR) tournament, the World Rugby Women’s Sevens
Series legs in Amsterdam and Dubai and the Women’s Sevens Series Qualifier in Hong Kong. She also
participated in the 2010 and 2014 15-a-side Women’s Rugby World Cup tournaments.
Key strengths: Her main strengths include her ability to read a game, her impressive skills and her
ability to motivate her team-mates.
Tournaments: 2012/2013: Amsterdam. 2013/2014: Amsterdam. 2014/2015: Dubai, Brazil, Canada,
Amsterdam
Interesting Facts: Brown, who is a maternal figure in the squad, is engaged to a male nurse named
Sidney and she is a mother a three-year old named Chintley. She grew up loving rugby as her father
played the sport at club level.
Phumeza Gadu (World Series appearances: 9)
Physical: 165cm and 59,9kg DOB: 21/06/1985, Port Elizabeth
Education: Aaron QGqadu Primary School & Masipathisane High School
Fast Facts: Gadu has been one of the stalwarts of Springbok Women’s rugby since 2007. She made her
debut for the Springbok Women’s Sevens team in 2008 and boasts vast international experience which
includes appearances in the Rugby World Cup Sevens tournaments in Dubai in 2009 and Russia in 2013
respectively. A true servant to the game, Gadu has also played a key role in the 15-a-side national
team, and participated in the Women’s Rugby World Cup in France last season. She made her debut on
the World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series in Dubai in 2012 and since then she has been a key player in
the Springbok Women’s Sevens team as the side’s top try-scorer.
Key strengths: As a former 100m and 200m sprinter and soccer player, Gadu’s main strengths are her
speed, impressive skills and her accuracy under the high ball. These skills have allowed her to run in
tries at will.
Tournaments: 2012/2013: Dubai, Houston, Amsterdam. 2014/2015: Dubai, Brazil, Atlanta, Canada,
England, Amsterdam
Interesting Facts: She is a mother of a nine-year old named Hlumelo, who keeps her busy at home,
while she enjoys watching soccer and tennis to relax.
Rachelle Geldenhuys (World Series appearances: 7)
Physical: 164cm & 72,2kg DOB: 20/01/1987, Johannesburg
Education: Danie Theron Primary School, Randburg High School, Damelin College - Sports Management
Fast Facts: Geldenhuys burst onto the Springbok Women’s scene for the first time in 2012 by making
her debut for the Springbok Women’s Sevens in Dubai, and she has not looked back since. She has a
strong physical presence on the field and is a hard worker around the park, which has made her a
reliable flank and team-mate. This high work rate has made her a key figure in the national Sevens set-
up in the last two seasons and also earned her a place in the 15-a-side Springbok Women’s team for
the Women’s World Cup last year. Such is her passion for rugby and training she completed the World
Rugby Level 1 coaching course. She also has a Diploma in broadcasting. Geldenhuys missed the final leg
of 2014/2015 Women’s World Series in Amsterdam in May due to a knee injury and subsequently had
surgery, but she returned for the World Series Qualifier in Dublin, and will again look to make her
presence felt this weekend in her home town.
Key strengths: She is a physical player and good ball carrier, effective ruck player and solid defender.
Tournaments: 2012/2013: Dubai, Amsterdam. 2014/2015: Dubai, Brazil, Atlanta, Canada, England
Fast Facts: Her favourite past time is spending time with her family and three year-old daughter Olivia,
and on the more active days going to gym and playing touch rugby.
Nosiphiwo Goda (World Series appearances: 9)
Physical: 171cm & 63,2kg DOB: 03/06/1985, East London
Education: Luzuko and Shad Mashologe Primary Schools, Eric Mntonga High School
Fast Facts: She has been playing Sevens rugby for Border since 2006, but only made her International
debut in 2012 on the Sevens World Series circuit. She has had a strong presence in the team since, but
unfortunately missed out on selection for the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Russia due to injury. Such has
been her presence on the Sevens circuit, she has only missed one World Series event since South
Africa’s first appearance in the tournament in the 2012/2013 season. Goda is also a seasoned
campaigner in the 15-a-side code.
Key strengths: Goda is a physical, yet fast player, who does not shy away from contact. She also has an
eye for a gap and is a true team player.
Tournaments: 2012/2013: Dubai, Houston, Amsterdam. 2013/2014: Amsterdam. 2014/2015: Dubai,
Brazil, Atlanta, England, Amsterdam
Interesting facts: Goda is a former South African netball player, who participated in the Netball World
Cup in 2011. She started studying for a Diploma in Tourism and Travel before taking up a contract as a
professional rugby player.
Veroeshka Grain (World Series Appearances: 8)
Physical: 165cm & 61kg DOB: 11/12/1990, Paarl
Education: New Orleans Primary School, Stellenbosch ETA
Fast Facts: Grain is a sport fanatic and boasts provincial colours in hockey, football, athletics and rugby.
She made her debut for the Springbok Women’s Sevens squad in 2013 at the Amsterdam Women’s
Sevens World Series and followed this up by earning a place in the Springbok Women’s Sevens squad
for the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Russia later that season. Grain also got a taste of top class 15-a-side
rugby in 2013 after being named in the Springbok team for the Nations Cup in the USA and the
Women’s Rugby World Cup in France in 2014. She missed the Atlanta Women’s World Series
tournament in March with a knee injury, but wasted no time making her presence felt following her
return, and continues to be an attacking weapon for the Springbok Women Sevens.
Key strengths: Her main strengths are her speed and ability to spot gaps in the defence. She also has a
knack at scoring tries.
Tournaments: 2012/2013: Amsterdam. 2013/2014: Amsterdam. 2014/2015: Dubai, Brazil, Canada,
England, Amsterdam
Interesting Facts: As one of the contracted Springbok Women Sevens players, Grain has made a living
off the sport recently. Prior to that she started studying Sport Tourism and Marketing Management.
She spends most of her spare time with her family, friends and fiancé Ryan.
Zenay Jordaan (World Series appearances: 8)
Physical: 157cm & 58kg. DOB: 4 April 1991, Middelburg, Eastern Cape Education: Ellen Olivier Primary, Middelland Senior Secondary School Fast Facts: At the young age of 24 years old Jordaan boasts an impressive rugby resume which includes
two Rugby World Cup Sevens tournaments (2009 and 2013) and two 15-a-side Women’s Rugby World
Cups (2010 and 2014). The star flyhalf made her Springbok Sevens debut in 2008 and her 15-a-side Test
debut in 2009 after graduating from the SA Under-20 Women’s team in 2008. The 2013 Springbok
Women’s player of the year has proven herself as an inspirational leader in the team in the last two
seasons thanks to her ability to lead by example and to dictate play. Jordaan missed the season-
opening Dubai World Series after having surgery to her knee, but she featured strongly in the
remainder of the Women’s World Series this season as well as the World Series Qualifier in Dublin last
month.
Tournaments: 2012/2013: Amsterdam, Houston. 2013/2014: Amsterdam. 2014/2015: Brazil, Atlanta,
Canada, England, Amsterdam
Key strengths: Jordaan’s accurate goal and tactical kicking and her ability to dictate play make her one
of the key figures in the team. She also leads by example on the field with her never-say-die attitude.
Fast Facts: She is a former provincial sprinter and long jump athlete. Off the field she enjoys watching
movies and playing golf and cricket with friends.
Jacqueline Kriel (World Series appearances: 7)
Physical: 165cm & 61,6kg DOB: 27/08/1986, Potchefstroom
Education: Salomon Senekal Primary School, Sentrale Volskool Primary School, Kroonstad High School,
University of the Free State
Fast Facts: Kriel is one of the newer faces in the women’s Sevens set-up having made her debut on the
Women’s World Series in the 2013/2014 season. She earned her first national call-up in March 2014
for the Hong Kong Invitational and later participated in the Confederation of African Rugby Sevens in
Kenya (which South Africa won), and the Amsterdam World Series leg. Prior to this she played Sevens
rugby for Tuks, where she faced Belgium, Tunisia, France, Germany, Sweden, South Africa and Russia.
The player has been in solid form this season, which earned her a place in every World Series event as
well as the World Series Qualifier in Ireland.
Key Strengths: Kriel’s raw pace is her main asset, but she also has a knack at snuffing out the gaps in
the defence and she reads a game well.
Tournaments: 2013/2014: Amsterdam. 2014/2015: Dubai, Brazil, Atlanta, Canada, England, Amsterdam
Interesting Facts: Kriel is a physiotherapist by profession and has provincial colours in hockey, touch
rugby and athletics. She enjoys a wide variety of activities off the field including hiking, skiing, cooking
and listening to music.
Sinazo Nobele (World Series appearances: 6)
Physical: 165cm & 57,6kg DOB: 5/10/1988, Mthatha
Education: Mampondomise Primary School, Chief Herndre Bokleni High School
Fast Facts: Nobele made her first appearance on the national Sevens scene in 2011 and participated in
a handful of tournaments until the 2013 season, which included the Women’s Sevens World Series in
Houston, the Confederation of African Rugby tournament in Uganda, the Dubai International
Invitational. She narrowly lost out on selection for the 2013 Rugby World Cup Sevens tournament in
Russia, as she was named as a non-travelling reserve. She made the step-up to the Springbok Women’s
team in the 15-a-side code last season and she participated in the Women’s Rugby World Cup where
she made her Test debut against Wales. She again made her mark in the Sevens team after the World
Cup by earning a call-up to the squad for the 2014/2015 Dubai leg. She grabbed this opportunity with
both hands and missed only one of the team’s seven tournaments this year.
Key strengths: Nobele is a physical, fast and skilful player despite her petite build. She also has a knack
at spotting gaps in the defence and is not afraid to back herself to get through them.
Tournaments: 2012/2013: Houston. 2014/2015: Dubai, Atlanta, Canada, England, Amsterdam
Interesting Facts: She enjoys watching movies, spending time with friends and playing social rugby with
the boys in her neighbourhood – which she believes has boosted her skills on the field.
Marithy Pienaar (World Series appearances: 7)
Physical: 177cm & 71kg DOB: 26/08/1991, Pretoria
Education: CVO Primary School, Theresa Park Primary School, Oos Moot High School
Fast Facts: Pienaar took up rugby four years ago and represented the SA Select team for the first time
at the Dubai International Invitational in 2013. She immediately impressed the national coaches with
her skills and leadership ability, which resulted in her being named the regular vice-captain – a role she
takes seriously on and off the field. Her leadership aside, she is also is a consistently solid player, which
has resulted in her featuring in all the tournaments on the circuit this season. Had it not been for a
serious knee injury last year Pienaar would have made her 15-a-side debut for the Springbok Women
at the Rugby World Cup in France.
Key strengths: Pienaar is a true leader who inspires her team-mates through her actions and words.
She is physical and puts her body on the line on attack and defence every time she takes to the field.
Tournaments: 2013/2014: Amsterdam. 2014/2015: Dubai, Brazil, Atlanta, Canada, England, Amsterdam
Interesting Facts: Pienaar is sporty by nature and boasts an impressive sport background which
includes earning provincial colours for netball, cricket, softball and athletics. Outside of rugby she
enjoys mountain-biking and playing golf.
Fundiswa Plaatjie (World Series appearances: 9)
Physical: 159cm & 65,5kg DOB: 04/12/1985
Education: Ngxingxolo Primary School, Kwenxura High School
Fast Facts: Since her first Springbok Women’s call-up in 2006 Plaatjie has been a stalwart for the
national team in the Sevens and 15-a-side codes, and has proven herself as one of the best
scrumhalves consistently. These performances earned her places in the 2006, 2010 and 2014 Women’s
Rugby World Cup squads as well as the 2013 Rugby World Cup Sevens squad. The player showed
fantastic form last season with her sniping runs and good distribution, which earned her a place as the
first-choice scrumhalf at the Women’s World Cup in France in August and the 2014 SA Rugby Women’s
top achiever award. She managed to maintain her solid form this season, which resulted in her being a
regular starter for the Springbok Women’s Sevens. Her consistent form has resulted in her being
selected in all seven tournaments for the Springbok Women’s Sevens this year.
Key strengths: Plaatjie’s vast array of skills include her quick distribution, solid defence, ability to sneak
through holes in the defence and her good decision-making. Despite being one of the shortest players
in the team, she is very strong.
Tournaments: 2012/2013: Dubai, Houston. 2013/2014: Amsterdam. 2014/2015: Dubai, Brazil, Atlanta,
Canada, England, Amsterdam
Interesting Facts: After the 2010 World Cup the player participated in a rugby exchange programme in
Ireland for six months, in which she played for the City of Derry club. She enjoys dancing, listening to
music and playing soccer in her down-time.
Mathrin Simmers (World Series appearances: 9)
Physical: 161cm & 64kg DOB: 03/03/1988
Education: Sunridge Primary School, Knysna Secondary School
Fast Facts: Simmers first broke onto the national Sevens scene in 2012 when she was selected for the
Women’s Sevens World Series in Dubai, and she has become a key figure in the set-up since. She spent
some time on the sidelines in 2014 due to concussion, but she made a strong comeback in the World
Series Qualifier in Hong Kong and the 2014/2015 Dubai World Series. The player has been in solid form
all season thanks to her ability to take advantage of space and her effective support play, which has
earned her a place in every tournament this year.
Key strengths: Simmers boasts a few traits, but her upper body strength, strong defence and ability to
force her way over the advantage line have earned her a regular spot in the squad.
Tournaments: 2012/2013: Dubai, Houston, Amsterdam. 2014/2015: Dubai, Brazil, Atlanta, Canada,
England, Amsterdam
Interesting Facts: Simmers is a former provincial baseball player and has earned her World Rugby Level
1 Coaching Certificate and World Rugby Level 1 Sevens Certificate. Prior to becoming a professional
rugby player, she was a manager and co-owner of a nightclub and a sport tourism company in Knysna.
Ziyanda Tywaleni:
Physical: 163cm & 73kg DOB: 06/06/1987
Education: Ngcamama Primary School, Tsholomnqa High School
Fast Facts: Tywaleni made her first appearance on the international scene in 2010 in the national
women’s Sevens and 15-a-side teams, and immediately stamped her authority as she was selected for
the Springbok Women’s team that participated in the 2010 Women’s Rugby World Cup. Her impressive
performances for her provincial team, Border, in the build-up to the 2014 Women’s World Cup in
France last year earned her a call-up to the squad to the national squad once again. But these hopes
were dashed as a hamstring injury ruled her out of the tournament. The Olympic Qualifier will mark
Tywaleni’s third appearance for the Springbok Women’s Sevens team after appearances in the 2012
and 2014 Dubai Sevens Series legs. She has, however, been working hard on her fitness and skills levels
with the Springbok Sevens team this year, and her determination and steady improvement earned her
the nod for what will be her first tournament of the year.
Tournaments: Dubai 2012/2013. 2014/2015: Dubai
Interesting Facts: Tywaleni is a former provincial netball player and she prides herself on the fact that
she was the first female player from Tsholomnqa to be selected for the Border team. She spends her
spare time relaxing with friends or de-stressing by doing house chores.
Springbok Women’s Sevens against China in Canada
Team management:
Renfred Dazel – Head Coach
Tanushree Pillay – Physiotherapist & Team Manager
Johno Meintjies – Fitness Consultant
Team Contact details:
Tanushree Pillay (Team Manager)
0824949561
Zeena Isaacs (Media Manager)
0760952562
Twitter:
@Womenboks
Website: www.sarugby.co.za
Compiled by SARU Corporate Affairs
