Springbok Women's Sevens flyer Maria Tshiremba has made a seamless transition to the fifteens game, scoring four tries in her first two Tests. She is hoping to build on that when the Bok Women face Italy in the second WXV Global Series match on Saturday. Tshiremba's impressive start has drawn comparisons to established sevens crossover stars like Nadine Roos, Ayanda Malinga, and Byrhandré Dolf.
Tshiremba's four tries have come in her first two Tests, with her announcing herself with a hat-trick on debut against Fiji. She added another try in last weekend’s 50-19 defeat to Wales in Cardiff in their WXV Global Series opener. Despite her personal try-scoring streak, the result in Wales left the former Blitzbok woman fuming, driving a fierce desire for redemption as the squad prepares to face Italy.
The Springbok Women are looking to bounce back from their loss to Wales and Tshiremba is eager to test herself against an Italian outfit she has never faced before. She takes confidence from South Africa's historic victory over the Azzurre at the Rugby World Cup in England, where they reached the quarter-finals for the first time. Tshiremba is hoping to surprise the Italian team with her pace and finishing ability.
Tshiremba credits her sevens background for simplifying defensive alignment in the fifteens game. She believes that coming from sevens to fifteens is much easier than going the other way. Her teammates have made it easy for her to settle in, and she is enjoying the challenge of playing in the wider channels on attack.
Tshiremba will find plenty of inspiration on the opposite wing in Ayanda Malinga, another prolific former sevens finisher who played a pivotal role in that World Cup quarter-final-clinching win over Italy. Malinga boasts an incredible 17 tries in 21 Tests and insists the memory of outplaying the Italians remains a powerful blueprint for Saturday’s encounter.
Malinga expects a desperate Italian response, knowing the Azzurre will carry extra motivation after that World Cup heartbreak. She believes Italy will be coming for the Springbok Women hard, as that defeat knocked them out of the competition. The Springbok Women need to redeem themselves and make a statement on this tour, and this weekend is that opportunity.
The matchday 23 is set to be named on Thursday, and Tshiremba and Malinga’s sharp finishing on the flanks will be vital as the Bok Women look to reignite their WXV campaign at the Stadio Omero Tognon. The team is looking forward to the challenge and is eager to make a statement against Italy on Saturday.
Key points
- Springbok Women's Sevens star Maria Tshiremba scores four tries in first two Tests
- Tshiremba follows in the footsteps of established sevens crossover stars
- The Springbok Women face Italy in the second WXV Global Series match on Saturday
