Exclusive: Nadine Roos and Blitzboks Women Determined to Reclaim World Series Spot

The Blitzboks Women’s team is on a mission to regain their place in the HSBC Sevens Series after being relegated last season. While they are not part of this year’s circuit, they have an opportunity to return by competing in the Challenger Series.

To secure a spot in the regular World Sevens Series, the team must finish in the top four of the Challenger Series—a challenge that superstar Nadine Roos is eagerly looking forward to.

Preparation for the Challenger Series

The squad has been training in Stellenbosch, preparing for the fierce competition ahead. Roos shared insights on their preparations:

"Training has been going well. Some players only joined us last week, but we have experienced players who understand the system, and our approach to preparation hasn’t really changed," Roos told SportsBoom.co.za. 

One of the biggest adjustments has been transitioning from 15s rugby to 7s, as some players are involved in both formats.

"The biggest challenge is switching between 15s and 7s. Some of the new players will be experiencing their first major tournament, and it’s a completely different ball game."

The squad recently played a match against Rhinos Rugby, which provided valuable insights.

"Playing against Rhinos last week helped us see where we are as a team and where we need to improve."

Juggling 15s and 7s Rugby

Several players, including Roos, are balancing commitments between the 15s and 7s squads, which has proven to be a demanding challenge.

"Coming from the 15s camp, we had to get back to the basics of 7s. Fitness-wise, 7s requires more than 15s, so the transition was tough. But with our experience, adapting wasn’t too difficult."

Coaching Staff’s Perspective

Assistant coach Cecil Afrika highlighted the logistical challenges of player availability due to overlapping schedules.

"Preparation hasn’t been ideal because players were involved in the domestic competition. But overall, things have gone well, and hopefully, by the end of the week, everything will fall into place."

Afrika acknowledged that some players will rejoin the Springbok Women’s 15s squad for their Women’s Rugby World Cup preparations later this year.

"If we qualify for the World Series Playoff, we hope to get those players back for full World Series status before they return for the World Cup. It’s a challenge, but they are experienced enough to adapt."

Challenger Series Goals

The team has set clear objectives for the Challenger Series: "Our goal is to win our games and finish in the top four. Ideally, we want to reach the final, which will put us in a strong position and take the pressure off for the March 8–9 Challenger Series before heading to Poland for the final qualification."

Roos emphasized their win-or-bust mindset.

"We’re going into the Challenger Series with the mindset of winning because we know what’s at stake. We want to get back into the World Series, and to do that, we have to win the Challenger Series."

Using Relegation as Motivation

Watching the HSBC Sevens Series from the sidelines has been a tough pill to swallow for Roos and her teammates.

"Watching the Cape Town Sevens in December was hard. Seeing the opportunity we missed out on was devastating."

She pointed out how other teams have capitalized on their chances, using Japan and Brazil as prime examples.

"Look at how well Japan is performing now, they keep improving in every tournament. And Brazil pulled off a massive upset by beating Australia last weekend."

Roos also referenced Fiji’s comeback, proving that form can turn around quickly.

"Fiji struggled in their first two tournaments, but now they’re in the Vancouver final. That motivates us, we want to compete against the best and match that international standard."

Being Coached by Legends

The Blitzboks Women’s side benefits from the expertise of former Blitzboks stars Renfred Dazel and Cecil Afrika.

"Coach Renfred is an excellent head coach. His attacking strategies lay the foundation for us and create momentum."

Afrika, a sevens legend, has had a significant impact on the team’s defence.

"Cecil is in charge of defense, but his experience in both attack and defense makes him an invaluable resource. He was a successful player, and you can always ask him for guidance especially in playmaking, which he helps me with."

Roos praised both coaches for their analytical approach.

"They are both very good at analyzing teams, which helps us prepare for different opponents."

The Road Back to the World Series

With relegation fuelling their determination, the Blitzboks Women are focused on reclaiming their place among the world’s best. The upcoming Challenger Series will be a defining moment in their journey back to the HSBC Sevens Series.

As Roos and her team take the field, one goal remains clear: win, qualify, and return to the top.