Maceala Samboya's rapid rise continues with Springbok Women's Sevens call-up

The 23-year-old only began her rugby journey in 2023 at a social touch event before being invited to play sevens for a club side in Hermanus. There, she caught the attention of national selectors and was soon called up to train with the Springbok Women's Sevens in Stellenbosch.

Samboya's progress was swift. After joining Sanlam Boland Dames and delivering a series of strong performances, she earned a place in the Springbok Women's team and made her Test debut in Hermanus - the same town where she was first identified.

Since then, she has travelled extensively with the national side, featuring in countries including Scotland, England, Wales, Spain, Madagascar and France, as well as last year's Women's Rugby World Cup in England.

Now, Uruguay will mark another milestone in her career as she prepares to make her debut on the international sevens stage.

"I am really looking forward to this opportunity to play sevens for my country as well, as that is where it all started for me, briefly as it might have been," Samboya said as the team finally departed for South America on Tuesday, being delayed from Sunday.

"I remembered that first camp well - I was invited barely two months after I started playing rugby. It was just a three-day camp, but it triggered something in me.

"And then, as each opportunity came, I grew and learned and developed as a player. So this time, coming back to the sevens was still a challenge, but I found myself at ease this time."

Samboya joined the sevens squad six weeks after the WRWC, but picked up a knee injury which required four weeks of rehabilitation at their Stellenbosch Academy of Sport base, preparing her well for this trip, where all is at stake for the South Africans.

The HSBC SVNS 2 series, consisting of three tournaments, will offer the top four teams on the log the opportunity to play in the HSBC SVNS World Championship events in Hong Kong, Valladolid and Bordeaux in the coming months.

The Springbok Women's Sevens are in second place on the log following the series opener in Kenya a month ago and arrived in Montevideo with two uncapped players in Samboya and Shanidine Bezuidenhout.

"It was great to join this group of players as they are really focused at the job at hand and to get back onto the world series," the 26-year-old Samboya said.

"It made it much easier to slot in this time around and I hope to make a contribution, even if it is carrying water."

SA coach Cecil Afrika did not select Samboya for this trip to carry water though.

"She is a very good player with fantastic feet and a feel for space. I am excited to see her go in this team and challenge opposing defences," he said.

Bok Women's Sevens fixtures (SA times)

Saturday 21 March

16h23: Spain

18h46: China

21h36: Brazil

Sunday 22 March

19h23: Kenya

22h39: Argentina

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