The Springbok Sevens team completed a successful pool stage of their World Rugby Sevens Repechage tournament in Monaco on Saturday, finishing top of Pool A with victories over Tonga (31-7) and Chile (26-7) after defeating Mexico (44-0) on Friday, and will now face Uganda at 11h31 (SA time) on Sunday in the quarter-final.

The Monaco winner will qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

Springbok Sevens interim Head Coach, Philip Snyman, praised his troops after the three wins, saying that an important first hurdle was crossed.

“We needed to top the pool and to do so, we needed to play three good matches on the trot,” said Snyman. 

“I think we did that over the last two days, and although it was not perfect, the first objective was reached.”

They will face Uganda – a team Snyman coached to Rugby World Cup Sevens qualification in 2022.

“They are skillful athletes and a country with a proud Olympic heritage, so need no motivation for this game,” Snyman said.

“For us the challenge will be to continue the momentum picked up over the first two days because tomorrow is when it really matters.”

The opening clash against Tonga was a physical affair as expected.

The Blitzboks countered that with superior ball skills and pace. Quewin Nortje again showed that his pace had no peers at this level with two well taken tries in the first half, and a Shilton van Wyk dotted down in the corner gave the SA side a 24-0 lead at the break.

The second half was more of the same although the Blitzboks conceded a try to keep them honest.

Against Chile, more patience was needed to break their opponents down.

Tristan Leyds opened the scoring after a delightful Selvyn Davids grubber opened up the Chilean defence. He converted as well for a 7-0 lead.

Van Wyk scored on the buzzer after a delightful Leyds offload, who converted as well for a 14-0 lead at the break.

In the second spell, Siviwe Soyizwapi finished a well-worked try from a counter-attack that started near their own line.

Chile pulled one back with two minutes left, but Ryan Oosthuizen scored after a soft touch by Tiaan Pretorius. and Shaun Williams converted.

Scorers:

South Africa 31 (10), Tonga 7 (0)

SA – Tries: Quewin Nortje (2), Shilton van Wyk, Selvyn Davids, Shaun Williams. Conversions: Leyds (3).

South Africa 26 (14), Chile 7 (0).

SA – Tries: Tristan Leyds, Shilton van Wyk, Siviwe Soyizwapi, Ryan Oosthuizen. Conversions: Leyds (2), Shaun Williams.

Issued by SA Rugby Communications

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of South African Rugby.

Note to editors:
Audio notes of Philip Snyman can be downloaded here https://apo-opa.co/3XExfNN.

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The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) has successfully airlifted vital examination materials to over 21 locations, just days before the weeklong National High School Examinations are set to begin this Saturday.

This timely operation ensures that all children, even in hard-to-reach areas, can fully participate in the upcoming national exams.

At the request of the Ministry of Education, ATMIS Uganda and Burundi utility helicopters transported the exam materials from Mogadishu to four Federal Member States – Galmudug, Hirshabelle, Southwest, and Jubaland – as well as the Banadir region.

The SRCC and Head of ATMIS, Ambassador Mohamed El-Amine Souef emphasised the mission’s multifaceted role. “While our primary mandate is maintaining security, we acknowledge that true peace and stability are built on a foundation of education and human development. This support ensures that approximately 37,200 students across Somalia have equal access to education, regardless of their location, and will be prepared for future challenges and opportunities.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).

President Isaias Afwerki sent a message of congratulations on behalf of the people and Government of Eritrea, as well as on his own behalf, to President Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa, for his re-election and inauguration for a second term as the President of the Republic of South Africa.

In his letter, President Isaias expressed his trust that the re-election of President Cyril Ramaphosa will further advance the economic development and technological progress in the Republic of South Africa and will enhance bilateral cooperation in the period ahead. President Isaias also wished good health to President Cyril Ramaphosa, as well as peace and prosperity to the South African people.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

The President of the Republic of Seychelles, Mr. Wavel Ramkalawan has sent a message of condolences following the passing of music pioneer, Mr. Thomas Alexis.

“On behalf of the country and on my personal behalf, we convey our warmest thoughts of strength and courage during this time of bereavement to the wife, family and friends of Mr Thomas Alexis. Mr. Alexis was a Seychellois musical icon who has made immense contributions to the Seychelles music industry. He was not only a composer musician but in his professional career at the School of Music, as an instructor and head of the music programme, where he  passed on his musical  knowledge and undoubtly touched many lives. His legacy lives on as we remember him through the many songs he graced our nation with. He will be fondly remembered and songs like ‘Manman Mon manman’ will forever be part of his legacy and our culture. May his soul rest in peace.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Seychelles.