World Rugby Women s Sevens Series Qualifier. Dublin, Ireland August 2015

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1 Stats Pack Springbok Women s Sevens World Rugby Women s Sevens Series Qualifier Dublin, Ireland August 2015 Content Message from the coach Schedule Pools and Fixtures Player Profiles

Message from the Springbok Women s Sevens coach It has been a tough opening year as a core team on the World Rugby Women s Sevens Series, and although we would have liked to perform better, we have

2 Message from the Springbok Women s Sevens coach It has been a tough opening year as a core team on the World Rugby Women s Sevens Series, and although we would have liked to perform better, we have taken many lessons from the season and it has allowed us to build character as a team. Despite the disappointment we have taken several positives from our steady improvement, particularly in the last two World Series events and we hope this will set us in good stead as we attempt to retain our place on the circuit at the Qualifier in Dublin. That said, it will be no easy task as only the top two sides will qualify for the 2015/2016 World Series. We are also set to go up against Ireland in the pool stages, who apart from being the hosts for this event, will be the home of the 2017 Women s Rugby World Cup, meaning they will have all the motivation they need to come out firing. China and Brazil, who participated in the 2014/2015 Series are also among the teams who will be participating, while the Netherlands also have the potential to be a force to be reckoned with, so we will have to be at our best to advance to the final. On a positive note, however, we are encouraged by the improvement we showed on attack and defence in the England and Amsterdam World Series events, and if we can build on that and convert our try-scoring chances into points, I believe we can qualify. We have been working hard at training in the last few months in the hope of qualifying for the World Series and the Olympic Games, so the stakes are high for us as a team in our next two tournaments. Thank you for your support and all the best! Renfred Dazel Springbok Women s Sevens coach

Springbok Women s Sevens captain, Zenay Jordaan (4 th from right) with the other captains in Dublin World Rugby Women s Sevens Series Qualifier, Ireland Venue: University College Dublin City: Dublin

3 Springbok Women s Sevens captain, Zenay Jordaan (4 th from right) with the other captains in Dublin World Rugby Women s Sevens Series Qualifier, Ireland Venue: University College Dublin City: Dublin Pools: Pool A: Brazil, Wales, Japan, Samoa Pool B: China, Netherlands, Kenya, Columbia Pool C: South Africa, Ireland, Hong Kong, Mexico Pool fixtures South Africa (local time 22 August 2015): 11h28 SA vs Hong Kong 14h44 SA vs Mexico 17h28 SA vs Ireland

4 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 World Series legs in Amsterdam and Dubai and the World Rugby Women s Sevens Series Qualifier in Hong Kong. She also participated in the 2010 and 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.

5 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 She made her debut for 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-aside national team, and participated in the Women s Rugby World Cup in France last season. 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. 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 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 with her rehabilitation completed, she will look to make a strong comeback in Dublin. 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.

6 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 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 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 August She missed the Atlanta tournament with a knee injury, but she was been a key figure in the last three tournaments for the team. 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 her fiancé Ryan.

7 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 The 2013 Springbok Women s player of the year has proven herself as an inspirational leader in the Springbok Women s Sevens team in the last two seasons thanks to her ability to lead by example. Jordaan missed the season-opening Dubai World Series after having surgery to her knee, but she featured strongly in the tournaments since. 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 Volkskool 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 Africa 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 so far this season. 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.

8 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. Key strengths: Nobele is a physical, fast and skillful 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 She immediately impressed the national coaches with her skills and leadership ability, which resulted in her being named the regular vicecaptain 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 so far 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.

9 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 Women s Rugby 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. 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. Such has been the consistency of her play, she featured in all six World Series events this season. 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.

10 Zaandre Theron (World Series appearances: 5) Physical: 170cm & 65kg. DOB: 10 April 1987 Education: Laerskool Danie Malan, Afrikaanse Hoër Meisieskool Fast Facts: Theron first made her mark in the Springbok Women s Sevens squad in the 2012/2013 season when she was selected for the Houston and Amsterdam Sevens tournaments. Her call-up, however, was a surprise as she had come from a touch rugby background, and was initially invited only to train with the Sevens squad. Her impressive ball skills and ability to spot the gaps, however, immediately impressed the coaches and she was named in the travelling squad. Theron, however, turned her attention back to teaching and sports such as netball and touch rugby following the tournaments. But two years on Theron was again invited to train with the squad, and similarly to the past, it took her only two weeks to impress the coach, which earned her a place in the Atlanta touring squad. She missed the Canada tournament due to prior plans, but she made her presence felt in England by scoring two tries and in Amsterdam. Key strengths: Theron is a hard runner with good handling skills and she has a knack at reading a game thanks to her experience in touch rugby. Tournaments: 2012/2013: Houston, Amsterdam. 2014/2015: Atlanta, England, Amsterdam Interesting facts: Theron is a teacher by profession, but she took a leave of absence from her school this season after being called up to the Springbok Women s Sevens camp. She is also a former SA under-19 and under-21 netball and softball player. Her recent sporting achievements include being selected for the Southern Stings provincial netball team and the South African touch rugby team. Team management: Renfred Dazel Head Coach Tanushree Pillay Physiotherapist & Team Manager Johno Meintjies Fitness Consultant Team Contact details: Tanushree Pillay (Team Manager) tanushreeza@yahoo.com Zeena Isaacs (Media Manager) zeenai@sarugby.co.za Compiled by SARU Corporate Affairs

As the London Sevens approaches it seems clear barring injury that Phil Mack will reach the 50 th Cap mark for his country at Twickenham next month.

Sevens Mack Will Reach 50 Caps in London As the London Sevens approaches it seems clear barring injury that Phil Mack will reach the 50 th Cap mark for his country at Twickenham next month. It is an extraordinary