It is the last stop on their redemption tour for the Springbok Women’s Sevens, who can’t afford to leave anything out on the field at the HSBC SVNS Play-off in Los Angeles.
Any stumble is likely to be pounced on by their rivals, and could consign SA to another year in the lower tier of international sevens rugby. One player determined not to let that happen is versatile 27-year-old playmaker Alicia Willemse, even though she is new to the international rugby stage.
It has been a breakthrough year on a number of fronts for the diminutive Western Province star.
She is still riding high after her maiden Test match. She came off the bench as a replacement scrumhalf for the Springbok Women in a one-off international against Spain in Alicante barely two weeks ago.
That honour came barely five weeks after making her debut in the World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger Series at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town.
“Exciting times” for Alicia Willemse as she takes the next step in what has been a superb season with the #BokWomen and #BokWomen7s – more here: https://t.co/Nimys1tzxY 💥#RiseUp #HSBCSVNS pic.twitter.com/UErVVuUurr
— SA Women’s Rugby (@WomenBoks) April 29, 2025
When she dons the Springbok Women’s Sevens jersey again on Saturday, Willemse will be expected to combat and outplay Ireland and China alongside her teammates.
The play-off tournament, where they will also face Argentina in their final pool match on Sunday, will determine the South Africans’ fate for the next season of HSBC SVNS.
“It is really exciting times,” Willemse said, shortly after the team arrived on the west coast of the US for the final sevens tournament of the 2025 season, and for the Springbok Women’s Sevens, a most important one.”
Should the Springbok Women’s Sevens prevail in LA (current form suggests they should), Willemse won’t have much time to savour what could be the greatest triumph so far of her fledgling career.
After the play-offs she will be back in the Springbok Women’s training squad, aiming to make it to the Rugby World Cup in England in August and September.
“I have worked hard towards that goal and getting my first cap for the fifteens side was something I had on my radar,” said Willemse, who missed out on Test-match selection last year, despite touring Europe where the Bok Women played against Spain and the US.
The #BokWomen7s welcome back a couple of experienced players and are determined to finish the season on a high in Los Angeles – more here: https://t.co/BkBo2TYPWF 💥#RiseUp #HSBCSVNS pic.twitter.com/CtClq9qeVz
— SA Women’s Rugby (@WomenBoks) April 25, 2025
“Come to think of it, the sevens call-up was probably a bigger feat, as I never really expected it, nor focused so much on that code.
“I enjoy playing sevens and I still do. As a smaller player, I enjoy the freedom of space a bit more, so I can’t wait to go out and play with a bunch of very talented teammates. I am really grateful and privileged to have played for both national teams for the first time in such a short space of time.”
Willemse said the desire to do justice in the green and gold drives both teams: “Whether fifteens or sevens, both teams are desperate to do the jersey justice and make the country proud. I have not walked the sevens journey that long, but can tell you that this team is very, very determined to regain that top 12 spot on the world circuit.”
The Los Angeles venue is a happy hunting ground for the SA team, as the scene of their best finish of the 2024 HSBC SVNS. The team finished sixth overall after two good wins over Brazil and Fiji.
“That performance showed that we can compete against the best, but more encouraging would be the recent performances in Krakow, where the team won the final Challenger tournament. The momentum gained will work well for us this weekend,” added Willemse.
Springbok Women’s Sevens Pool B schedule
Saturday: SA v Ireland (7.44pm); SA v China (11.07pm)
Sunday: SA v Argentina (7pm)
