Renfred Dazel, the Head Coach of Springbok Women’s Sevens, expressed his satisfaction at the conclusion of their two-week Olympic Games camp in Potchefstroom. He stated that all planned objectives were met by the end of the exercise on Saturday.
During the camp, Dazel finalized the fourteen-player roster for their inaugural Olympic appearance in Rugby Sevens, which will commence the day after the opening ceremony.
Team South Africa is scheduled to play against defending champions Australia in their first game on 27 July. They will also face Great Britain and Ireland in Pool B of the competition.
Dazel mentioned, “I am very pleased with the outcome of the two-week camp, despite the difficulty of informing some players that they did not make the final cut. It is always a tough conversation, but I am happy with the selected squad.”
Additionally, the coaching staff utilized the camp to integrate players like Sizophila Solontsi, Veroeshka Grain, Byrhandre Dolf, and Libbie Janse van Rensburg, who recently returned to action after a lengthy injury recovery.
The official squad consists of 12 players and two extra reserves who will travel with the team to France.
Dazel praised the team’s resilience during the intense two-week training period. He emphasized the squad’s positive response to the challenges presented to them.
After a brief break, the team will reassemble in Cape Town on 7 July before departing to Montpellier, France, on 12 July. They will spend a week training against Australia and Brazil before heading to the Olympic Village in Paris on 20 July.
The Team SA squad for Paris 2024:
1. Mathrin Simmers
2. Zintle Mpupha
3. Sizophila Solontsi
4. Veroeshka Grain
5. Kemisetso Baloyi
6. Nadine Roos
7. Liske Lategan
8. Byrhandre Dolf
9. Ayanda Malinga
10. Libbie Janse van Rensburg
11. Marlize de Bruin
12. Maria Tshiremba
13. Shona-Leah Weston (travelling reserve)
14. Shiniqwa Lamprecht (travelling reserve)
Issued by SA Rugby Communications
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of South African Rugby.
Note to editors: Audio notes of Renfred Dazel can be downloaded here.
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