Lategan confident Bok Women's Sevens can spark SVNS comeback in Kenya

Speaking ahead of the tournament at Nyayo Stadium on Saturday and Sunday, experienced campaigner Liske Lategan said the squad has a renewed belief and determination to return to the top tier.

Lategan, who made her debut in 2019 and scored the team's first-ever try at DHL Stadium in Cape Town, has witnessed the highs and lows of the programme, including the threat of disbandment during the COVID-19 pandemic, promotion and relegation from the World Series, and her own battles with injury, most recently a serious knee issue last year.

"All of those ups and downs made me stronger, and I can look back at those things grateful that I came out stronger and more determined that this team should be playing at the highest level," said Lategan.

On the opening day of the Kenyan leg of the three HSBC SVNS 2 tournaments, Lategan will once again bring physicality and leadership to the forward pack, while knowing success will depend on a collective team effort.

"It will be crucial to our road back to the top to lay a strong foundation here in Kenya. Every match will be one of survival for us and we will treat it as such," Lategan explained their mindset in the format that has no knock-out matches on the weekend. Instead, all six teams will play each other, not only this weekend, but also in the two remaining legs, to be played in Uruguay and Brazil next month.

"The harsh reality of being knocked out in any match will not be there, but that does not mean we can slip up in any match. Things like points difference and bonus points will be crucial in the final log positions which will determine who goes to the HSBC SVNS World Championship tournaments."

What put Lategan at ease for the matches against Spain, Brazil, Kenya, China, and Argentina is the self-belief in the squad, the cohesion they have and the shared belief that they can top the log come Sunday afternoon.

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"I can say with confidence that we have a great team spirit and we celebrate each other," she said.

"We are happy for each other and sad for each other and there is great unity in this group and that bodes well for us.

"We prepared really well and that showed in our tournament win recently in Dubai, where we won the SVNS 3 event. These opponents will be a step up, but we have beaten all of them before and can do so again."