Ryan Oosthuizen of South Africa on the attack during Day 3 of the 2022 HSBC Cape Town Sevens held at Cape Town Stadium in Cape Town on 11 November 2022 Photo: Shaun Roy/BackpagePix
Follow the Blitzboks in New Zealand: LIVE score tracker
Follow the Blitzboks at the World Sevens Series New Zealand Sevens in Hamilton with our live score tracker.
Ryan Oosthuizen of South Africa on the attack during Day 3 of the 2022 HSBC Cape Town Sevens held at Cape Town Stadium in Cape Town on 11 November 2022 Photo: Shaun Roy/BackpagePix
The Blitzboks are in action early at the New Zealand Sevens which means their opening match will take place on Friday night South African time.
Follow the Blitzboks in New Zealand
The Blitzboks start their campaign in Hamilton against Canada in a match that kicks off at 22:10 on Friday 20 January 2023.
Blitzboks vs Canada (Friday 20 January 22:10)
It’s going to be a long old night for the fans at home with South Africa’s Sevens side next in action in the wee hours.
They take on group darkhorses Spain, who will be desperate to claim a Blitzbok scalp.
Blitzboks vs Spain (Saturday 21 January 01:38)
The Blitzboks conclude their group stage activity with a match against the Pumas.
Blitzboks vs Argentina (Saturday 21 January 04:44)
Live scores from Flashscore.
What are their chances?
Blitzboks assistant coach Philip Snyman expects a stiff challenge in Hamilton.
“It’s always difficult to play in New Zealand, which is why our main message this week was to do all you can to hit your stride and get into the time zone as quickly as possible, while there were no excuses at training sessions,” said Snyman.
“We had a couple of very good training sessions and the guys really pulled together. We are enjoying one another’s company, the players are playing cards, getting to know each other and we’re growing as a team.
“So this weekend, our message is to play for the badge on your chest, play for each other and make the most of this weekend in New Zealand.”
“We have a young and exciting squad here in New Zealand, after we lost a couple of more experienced players at the end of last year,” he said.
“From the start of this season, the forwards have really made a step up, while guys like Shaun Williams and Jaiden Baron, who are really quick around the breakdowns, gives me a lot of confidence.
“Then Ricardo Duarttee and Dalvon Blood are more experienced as both of them have two more tournaments under the belt, and we’ve got high expectations of them this weekend.
“There is no greater place than New Zealand to be successful in a tournament and we will do everything in our power to be successful again.”
