Victorious Blitzboks get luck of the draw for Cape Town SVNS

The Blitzboks started their 2024 HSBC SVNS campaign on a high note in Dubai, winning the opening tournament of the new look series, beating Argentina 12-7 in a pulsating final of the Dubai Sevens on Sunday. 

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The South Africans beat Argentina on Sunday to claim a fifth consecutive crown in Dubai, and have been drawn in Pool A with Ireland, Great Britain and the USA for what promises to be an action-packed two days of rugby at Cape Town Stadium.

Argentina will face Fiji, France and Spain in Pool B, while defending champions Samoa will face old foes, New Zealand, as well as Australia and Canada in Pool C.

Unbeaten in the pool stage in Dubai on Saturday, the Blitzboks outplayed Australia and Fiji before beating Argentina 12-7 in the final.

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COACH SANDILE DESERVES PRAISE FOR SPRINGBOK SEVENS’ TURNAROUND

Both assistant coach Philip Snyman and new captain, Selvyn Davids, thanked the effort from all squad members involved in the preparation and gave credit to the good Dubai crowd supporting the event.

“Coach Sandile deserves a lot of credit for preparing the squad so well over the last couple of months,” said Blitzboks stand-in manager Snyman. “The rest of our management also deserve this win, everyone did more than was asked, like our High-Performance Manager, Marius Schoeman, who travelled with to assist where needed.”

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Snyman praised the Blitboks.

“We had a very good pre-season and the guys showed that they were ready to play six tough matches.

“The way they worked, based on defence, also showed their willingness to work off the ball and cover each other’s backs and that is a wonderful thing for coaches to see.”

Snyman said he was impressed by the fact that the players also did their talking on the field.

“They said they were going to do it and backed that up with a wonderful performance over the last two days. They showed a lot of character, so all the credit to the players,” Snyman said.

The coach commended the newcomers to the team, Quewin Nortje and Katlego Letebele and said the healthy competition in the squad is pushing young and old.

“They really bring energy to the group and if you add that to the calm heads and experience of the older players, it is a good formula for success. We said we want to write a new book this year and the first chapter was a good one.”

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NEW BLITZBOKS SKIPPER HAPPY WITH TEAM PERFORMANCE

Selvyn Davids, victorious in his first outing as Blitzboks captain, said the good competition amongst the squad forces everyone to work hard and stay honest.

“This is a tough team to get selected for, as there are a lot of good players back home that could have been here as well,” he said. “We really push each other and that is a good thing. I want to thank those back in Stellenbosch for this win, it is for them as well. They worked just as hard as we did to make it happen.”

Davids said the heat in Dubai helped the Blitzboks in performing well: “We train in Stellenbosch and believe me, it is as hot there. So, when we come here, coupled with the good support from the Dubai crowd, we feel at home.”

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