SA Rugby President Mark Alexander and Springbok Women's Sevens coach Renfred Dazel led the tributes after Mathrin Simmers, South Africa's most experienced women's sevens player, decided to retire.
The Springbok Women's Sevens' late defeat against Kenya in their HSBC SVNS Play-off final in Los Angeles on Sunday means they will have to qualify for Division 2 next season.
The Springbok Women's Sevens squad received a timely boost for the all-important HSBC SVNS Playoff in Los Angeles with the inclusion of dual Springbok Simamkele Namba.
Springbok Women's Sevens captain Mathrin Simmers paid tribute to her teammates after they signed off in the last of three HSBC Sevens Challenger tournaments in Krakow, Poland, with their first win of the series.
Maria Tshiremba's brace set up a convincing 29-10 victory for the Springbok Women's Sevens against Poland in Krakow in their opening match of the final World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger tournament.
The Springbok Women's Sevens squad travel to Poland on Sunday for next weekend's all-important World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger tournament in Krakow.