Blitzboks looking to overcome breakdown woes

The Blitzboks are determined to rectify their breakdown struggles when they compete at this weekend’s Sydney Sevens.

That is the view of stalwart Zain Davids as the Blitzboks look to bounce back from a fairly disappointing performance in Hamilton last weekend.

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The fifth tournament of the World Rugby Sevens Series kicks off in Australia on Friday, where the Blitzboks have been drawn in Pool B alongside New Zealand, Kenya and Uruguay.

The Blitzboks were victorious in Dubai in the second tournament of the 2023 World Series and finished fourth in Cape Town a week later, but Davids admits that two top four finishes in four tournaments were not the results they had hoped for.

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However, according to the 25-year-old prop, they will improve as the team – with a number of inexperienced players in their midst – get more game time together.

“Also, as in my case, I am getting more match fit as the season progresses,” explained Davids.

“Coming back from injury, like I did, is one thing, but match fitness is something else. The fitness on the training field differs from what is expected in actual matches and I am happy with the latter, as I am feeling more at ease as we go along.

“The results are not always what we want or train for, but it is also true that we have some new players in the team and we need some time together on the field to become better.”

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An aspect that the team targeted this week following their matches at the New Zealand Sevens, was to have a more physical presence at the breakdown. They were overshadowed by the French and Irish in that regard, but according to Davids, they will approach it differently this weekend.

“We are not the biggest side on the circuit and teams are coming for us at the rucks, so we must muscle up in that regard,” he said. “We spoke about it and how we need to adapt this weekend, as we are up against Kenya first and they are certainly going to come for us.”

Davids said there is a real determination to get back to the podium at this weekend’s Sydney Sevens.

“The comeback must be greater than the setback, so we want to rectify what happened in Hamilton. We have shown what we can do, so there is a real purpose to our effort this weekend.”

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UPDATED BLITZBOKS SEVENS SQUAD:

Ryan Oosthuizen, Impi Visser, Zain Davids, James Murphy, Siviwe Soyizwapi, Christie Grobbelaar, Shaun Williams, Masande Mtshali, Shilton van Wyk, Darren Adonis, Dalvon Blood, Jaiden Baron, Ricardo Duarttee.