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	<title>Sevens - SportsClub</title>
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		<title>Blitzboks to be powered by unity in Bordeaux</title>
		<link>https://www.sportsclub.co.za/rugby/blitzboks/blitzboks-to-be-powered-by-unity-in-bordeaux/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Dylan]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 05 Jun 2026 09:34:11 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Blitzboks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Local]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rugby]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sevens]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Impi Visser]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[rugby]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sevens]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[South Africa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[springbok sevens]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.sportsclub.co.za/?p=232174</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>There is the potential to make history in Bordeaux this weekend, but the Springbok Sevens know full well that chasing results does not always have the desired effect. Hence, according to Blitzbok captain Impi Visser, a mindset of “team first” will carry them into the final HSBC SVNS World Championship tournament in France this weekend. [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.sportsclub.co.za/rugby/blitzboks/blitzboks-to-be-powered-by-unity-in-bordeaux/">Blitzboks to be powered by unity in Bordeaux</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.sportsclub.co.za">SportsClub</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>There is the potential to make history in Bordeaux this weekend, but the Springbok Sevens know full well that chasing results does not always have the desired effect. <span id="more-232174"></span></p>
<p>Hence, according to Blitzbok captain Impi Visser, a mindset of “team first” will carry them into the final HSBC SVNS World Championship tournament in France this weekend. The action starts on Friday, with pool matches against Great Britain and Kenya.</p>
<p>Visser spoke on the eve of the tournament, where the Blitzboks can achieve a unique double, winning both the HSBC SVNS Series and World Championship in the same season, as well as winning their sixth tournament this season.</p>
<p>The experienced SA captain alluded to the fact that the odd slip-up in a highly competitive season came when the “team first” mindset was neglected, like last weekend in Valladolid.</p>
<p>“It was not the greatest team effort last weekend,” said Visser of their second-place finish in Spain.</p>
<p>“Individually we fought hard, but as a collective, we did not punch hard enough Those lessons were accepted and for this weekend, we want to go out and play without any fear, and stick to the things that make us tick as a team.</p>
<p>“Our slogan of ‘powered by unity’ is spot-on to describe our approach for the weekend.</p>
<p>“Sevens is 90% mental and 10% physical. Everyone is fit and strong, so the difference will be in the mindset. That will determine the success of our weekend.”</p>
<p>As luck would have it, the Blitzboks face Great Britain and Kenya again on the opening day, with both teams demanding the very best out the South Africans in Spain.</p>
<p>“GB will come at us again, like they did last weekend and Kenya always come at us, so we know what to expect from them. We have the skills to beat them, so just the application that we need to get right,” Visser insisted.</p>
<p>There is also the reality of retaining the World Championship status, where South Africa lead Argentina by four points and Australia by eight in the final stretch, but Visser is having none of that: “We are only going to focus on Friday. It will be about having the right frame of mind. We know what we can do, not to look for the results but to follow the process.”</p>
<p><strong>HSBC SVNS World Championship standings:</strong><br />
1 South Africa – 38 pts<br />
2 Argentina – 34<br />
3 Australia – 30<br />
4 Fiji – 26<br />
5 Spain – 26<br />
6 New Zealand – 26<br />
7 France – 14<br />
8 Kenya – 14</p>
<p><strong>Blitzboks’ Pool A fixtures (SA times, all matches live on SuperSport):</strong></p>
<p><strong>Friday 5 June:<br />
15h06:</strong> Great Britain<br />
<strong>20h36:</strong> Kenya</p>
<p><strong>Saturday 6 June:<br />
11h06:</strong> Fiji</p>
<p><strong>Springbok Sevens squad for HSBC SVNS Bordeaux:</strong><br />
#2 Ryan Oosthuizen – 64 tournaments, 290 points (58 tries)<br />
#3 Impi Visser (captain) – 52 tournaments, 245 points (49 tries)<br />
#4 Zain Davids – 59 tournaments, 255 points (51 tries)<br />
#5 Ricardo Duarttee – 24 tournaments, 389 points (26 tries, 127 conversions, 1 penalty goal)<br />
#8 Selvyn Davids – 48 tournaments, 793 points (107 tries, 129 conversions, 1 penalty goal)<br />
#10 Dewald Human – 33 tournaments, 330 points (30 tries, 90 conversions)<br />
#11 Siviwe Soyizwapi – 66 tournaments, 805 points (161 tries)<br />
#12 Shilton van Wyk – 34 tournaments, 385 points (77 tries)<br />
#14 Quewin Nortje – 14 tournaments, 170 points (34 tries)<br />
#15 Donavan Don – 15 tournaments, 123 points (23 tries, 4 conversions)<br />
#16 Sebastiaan Jobb – 10 tournaments, 100 points (20 tries)<br />
#19 David Brits – 16 tournaments, 60 points (12 tries)<br />
#24 Tristan Leyds – 19 tournaments, 249 points (31 tries, 47 conversions)<br />
#31 Jayden Nell – 3 tournaments, 5 points (1 try)</p>
<p><strong>Issued by SA Rugby Communications</strong></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.sportsclub.co.za/rugby/blitzboks/blitzboks-to-be-powered-by-unity-in-bordeaux/">Blitzboks to be powered by unity in Bordeaux</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.sportsclub.co.za">SportsClub</a>.</p>
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		<title>Nell enjoying rookie season with the Blitzboks</title>
		<link>https://www.sportsclub.co.za/rugby/blitzboks/nell-enjoying-rookie-season-with-the-blitzboks/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Dylan]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 04 Jun 2026 09:46:08 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Blitzboks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Local]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rugby]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sevens]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Jayden Nell]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[South Africa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[springbok sevens]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.sportsclub.co.za/?p=232115</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>He joined the Springbok Sevens set-up straight out of school, so it’s little wonder that the 22-year-old Jayden Nell feels right at home being a newly capped Blitzbok playing in the HSBC SVNS World Championship and winning tournaments while doing so.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.sportsclub.co.za/rugby/blitzboks/nell-enjoying-rookie-season-with-the-blitzboks/">Nell enjoying rookie season with the Blitzboks</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.sportsclub.co.za">SportsClub</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>He joined the Springbok Sevens set-up straight out of school, so it’s little wonder that the 22-year-old Jayden Nell feels right at home being a newly capped Blitzbok playing in the HSBC SVNS World Championship and winning tournaments while doing so. <span id="more-232115"></span></p>
<p>Nell joined the Blitzboks in 2023, but a rash of injuries curtailed his early opportunities, with only two appearances for the Springbok Sevens ‘A’ side in the Rugby Africa Sevens Cup in Mauritius in 2024 and 2025 to show for all the pain and effort.</p>
<p>However, in 2026 the former Hoërskool Durbanville prodigy finally had a taste of topflight sevens rugby. This weekend in France, Nell will make a fourth consecutive tournament appearance, and he is determined to keep playing a role in the squad’s winning momentum.</p>
<p>The Blitzboks lead the HSBC SVNS World Championship race with one tournament to go and according to Nell, the road to another title is well laid out for the team.</p>
<p>Reflected on his debut international season that started at the HSBC SVNS New York, where South Africa won their fourth title in six tournaments, Nell said: “We know what to do and it all boils down to how we play together as a team. We have seen this year that if the guys do that, we are a tough team to beat.</p>
<p>“It did feel a bit surreal in the beginning, and I am still pinching myself at times, but then, I have been around the guys for a while now, so it was just a matter of doing what the coaches expect of you and doing your bit.”</p>
<p>The outside back in fifteens is enjoying a productive run as a Blitzbok forward and scored his first try against Spain in last weekend’s tense quarter-final as the South Africans rallied late to break Spanish hearts in Valladolid.</p>
<p>Such was the nature of the match that there was none of the traditional team celebrations following a maiden try, and Nell also only registered afterwards that it was his first try for the Blitzboks.</p>
<p>“Only when we watched the review, I realised along with most of the other guys that it was my first try, so I asked them to please celebrate with me whenever I score my second,” Nell said with a huge smile.</p>
<p>This could come at any time this weekend against pool opponents Great Britain, Kenya or Fiji, but Nell said the focus will not be on scoring another try, but rather to “stay in the moment” as that will determine a positive outcome.</p>
<p>“We know what we have to do, it is just a matter of going out there and do it,” he said after the squad completed a training run in Bordeaux.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, Donavan Don has joined the Blitzbok squad in Bordeaux following the knee injury sustained by Dewald Human in Spain, which prompted the playmaker’s return to South Africa.</p>
<p>Don played in six tournaments already and was part of the Hong Kong winning squad and his return will be a seamless one. His arrival boosted the squad to 14 players again, with coach Philip Snyman to make a call on Thursday which 13 players will form part of the tournament squad.</p>
<p>Springbok Sevens Pool A schedule (SA times, all matches live on SuperSport):</p>
<p><strong>Friday 5 June:</strong><br />
<strong>15h06:</strong> Great Britain<br />
<strong>20h36:</strong> Kenya</p>
<p><strong>Saturday 6 June:</strong><br />
<strong>11h06:</strong> Fiji</p>
<p><strong>Issued by SA Rugby Communications</strong></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.sportsclub.co.za/rugby/blitzboks/nell-enjoying-rookie-season-with-the-blitzboks/">Nell enjoying rookie season with the Blitzboks</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.sportsclub.co.za">SportsClub</a>.</p>
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		<title>Snyman: Blitzboks were not clinical enough in Spain</title>
		<link>https://www.sportsclub.co.za/rugby/blitzboks/snyman-blitzboks-were-not-clinical-enough-in-spain/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Dylan]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 02 Jun 2026 09:19:11 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Blitzboks]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Rugby]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sevens]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HSBC SVNS World Championship]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Philip Snyman]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[rugby]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sevens]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[South Africa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[springbok sevens]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.sportsclub.co.za/?p=232067</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Springbok Sevens head coach Philip Snyman was adamant that the Blitzboks were their own worst enemies in the HSBC SVNS Valladolid final, where they were outplayed 26-19 by Australia in a pulsating match.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.sportsclub.co.za/rugby/blitzboks/snyman-blitzboks-were-not-clinical-enough-in-spain/">Snyman: Blitzboks were not clinical enough in Spain</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.sportsclub.co.za">SportsClub</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Springbok Sevens head coach Philip Snyman was adamant that the Blitzboks were their own worst enemies in the HSBC SVNS Valladolid final, where they were outplayed 26-19 by Australia in a pulsating match. <span id="more-232067"></span></p>
<p>For Snyman, the slow start earlier in the tournament contributed to the result in the final, as the South Africans never played the rugby that they are capable of.</p>
<p>“Australia were deserved winners tonight,” said Snyman.</p>
<p>“They used their opportunities better in the final and deserved the win – they played very good rugby all tournament long.”</p>
<p>Snyman believes that the TMO call at the end of the match, that disallowed what would have been a try by South Africa to level the scores, was par for the course: “Sevens is brutal and so are the margins sometimes. We also had other opportunities, which we did not use, that one pass was not the reason we did not win.”</p>
<p>Snyman said his team played some of their best rugby on Sunday, but he was not happy with some of the performances on the first two days.</p>
<p>“Yes, we did very well at stages [on Sunday], but we will have to revisit those areas where we did not do as well as we should have,” he said.</p>
<p>“Earlier in the tournament We were not at our best and will have a look at that. We still made it to the final though, as tough as it is to get to that stage of the competition, so from that perspective, I am pleased.</p>
<p>“You are supposed to set the standard on day one and pick up the momentum from there, but we did not quite do that and in fact struggled on the first two days.”</p>
<p>Snyman said they were just not clinical enough and that they needed more possession: “We need to look better after our ball. In the final, we missed too many tackles and that got them back into the game.</p>
<p>“Playing in six consecutive finals is great, but this one was not our best, so we need to come back stronger.”</p>
<p>Next weekend in Bordeaux, the final tournament in the World Championship, the Blitzboks are in a tough Pool A with Fiji, Kenya, and Great Britain.</p>
<p>Australia, Spain, USA, and Uruguay are in Pool B, and Pool C consist of Argentina, New Zealand, France, and Germany.</p>
<p><strong>HSBC SVNS World Championship standings:</strong><br />
1 South Africa – 38 pts<br />
2 Argentina – 34<br />
3 Australia – 30<br />
4 Fiji – 26<br />
5 Spain – 26<br />
6 New Zealand – 26<br />
7 France – 14<br />
8 Kenya – 14</p>
<p><strong>Issued by SA Rugby Communications</strong></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.sportsclub.co.za/rugby/blitzboks/snyman-blitzboks-were-not-clinical-enough-in-spain/">Snyman: Blitzboks were not clinical enough in Spain</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.sportsclub.co.za">SportsClub</a>.</p>
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		<title>Snyman believes mental focus will be key in Spain</title>
		<link>https://www.sportsclub.co.za/rugby/blitzboks/snyman-believes-mental-focus-will-be-key-in-spain/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Dylan]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 29 May 2026 08:50:49 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Blitzboks]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Philip Snyman]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[springbok sevens]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.sportsclub.co.za/?p=231986</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>They know that they are physically up for the challenge to deliver the best season in the history of the Springbok Sevens, which is why Blitzbok coach Philip Snyman believes the key to their approach for the second of three HSBC SVNS World Championship events, this weekend at Estadio Jose Zorrilla in Valladolid, will be mental.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.sportsclub.co.za/rugby/blitzboks/snyman-believes-mental-focus-will-be-key-in-spain/">Snyman believes mental focus will be key in Spain</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.sportsclub.co.za">SportsClub</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>They know that they are physically up for the challenge to deliver the best season in the history of the Springbok Sevens, which is why Blitzbok coach Philip Snyman believes the key to their approach for the second of three HSBC SVNS World Championship events, this weekend at Estadio Jose Zorrilla in Valladolid, will be mental. <span id="more-231986"></span></p>
<p>The Blitzboks have two Pool A encounters on Friday, against Great Britain and Kenya, and on Saturday they face Australia.</p>
<p>“There is no doubt that we will need our best performance of the season to be successful here this weekend,” said Snyman.</p>
<p>“We will need to play as a team where every individual delivers his best effort. We have identified certain focus points and how to make them smaller by zooming into them. One of those is to focus on ourselves and what we need to do, and not the opponents as such.”</p>
<p>They are aware of the bigger picture – being in a good position to win both the HSBC SVNS Series and the World Championship – but that is not where the focus has been in their preparations back home, or this week in sunny Valladolid.</p>
<p>“We have a good group of players here and all had done well during the season – from the most experienced players to the newer ones we brought into our squad this season – and we prepared well,” said Snyman.</p>
<p>“We know what we are capable of, but this will still require a fresh start for this tournament and for that matter, we do not look past the opening match against Great Britain.”</p>
<p>The Blitzbok coach was happy with their only training session of the week on Tuesday and said there is good energy and synergy in the squad: “We just needed to get those flights out of the systems and that worked, so we are ready. The players are in a good space as well, so we are looking forward to the weekend, but from a match perspective, it all starts against Great Britain.”</p>
<p><strong>South Africa’s Pool A fixtures (SA times, all matches live on SuperSport):</strong></p>
<p><strong>Friday 29 May<br />
12h34:</strong> Great Britain<br />
<strong>17h08:</strong> Kenya</p>
<p><strong>Saturday, 30 May<br />
13h23:</strong> Australia</p>
<p><strong>Head-to-Head:</strong><br />
Great Britain: Played 16, won 11. Average score 21-12. Last match: Vancouver 2026 – Won 21-5.<br />
Kenya: Played 72, won 63. Average score 26-10. Last match: Hong Kong 2026 quarter-final – Won 26-22.<br />
Australia: Played 116, won 75. Average score: 17-13. Last match: New York 2026 – Lost 12-19.</p>
<p><strong>Selected Blitzbok stats for season:</p>
<p>Leading points scorers:</strong><br />
110 Shilton van Wyk<br />
106 Tristan Leyds<br />
75 Ronald Brown<br />
72 Ricardo Duarttee<br />
65 Sebastiaan Jobb</p>
<p><strong>Leading try scorers:</strong><br />
22 Shilton van Wyk<br />
14 Tristan Leyds<br />
13 Sebastiaan Jobb<br />
12 Donavan Don<br />
10 Selvyn Davids, Ryan Oosthuizen</p>
<p><strong>Springbok Sevens squad (with HSBC SVNS stats):</strong><br />
#2 Ryan Oosthuizen &#8211; 63 tournaments, 285 points (57 tries)<br />
#3 Impi Visser (captain) &#8211; 51 tournaments, 240 points (48 tries)<br />
#4 Zain Davids &#8211; 58 tournaments, 255 points (51 tries)<br />
#5 Ricardo Duarttee &#8211; 23 tournaments, 372 points (25 tries, 121 conversions, 1 penalty goal)<br />
#8 Selvyn Davids &#8211; 47 tournaments, 793 points (107 tries, 129 conversions, 1 penalty goal)<br />
#10 Dewald Human &#8211; 33 tournaments, 330 points (30 tries, 90 conversions)<br />
#11 Siviwe Soyizwapi &#8211; 65 tournaments, 805 points (161 tries)<br />
#12 Shilton van Wyk &#8211; 33 tournaments, 370 points (74 tries)<br />
#14 Quewin Nortje &#8211; 13 tournaments, 165 points (33 tries)<br />
#16 Sebastiaan Jobb &#8211; 9 tournaments, 80 points (16 tries)<br />
#24 Tristan Leyds &#8211; 18 tournaments, 236 points (30 tries, 43 conversions)<br />
#31 Jayden Nell – 2 tournaments, 0 points<br />
#35 Gino Cupido – 3 tournaments, 30 points (6 tries)</p>
<p><strong>Issued by SA Rugby Communications</strong></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.sportsclub.co.za/rugby/blitzboks/snyman-believes-mental-focus-will-be-key-in-spain/">Snyman believes mental focus will be key in Spain</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.sportsclub.co.za">SportsClub</a>.</p>
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		<title>Blitzboks still have season objectives to achieve</title>
		<link>https://www.sportsclub.co.za/rugby/blitzboks/blitzboks-still-have-season-objectives-to-achieve/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Dylan]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 28 May 2026 09:18:24 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Blitzboks]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.sportsclub.co.za/?p=231956</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>At the start of the 2026 season, the Springbok Sevens committed themselves that they will give everything to build a squad and a value system that will conquer all, and that job is not done yet.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.sportsclub.co.za/rugby/blitzboks/blitzboks-still-have-season-objectives-to-achieve/">Blitzboks still have season objectives to achieve</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.sportsclub.co.za">SportsClub</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>At the start of the 2026 season, the Springbok Sevens committed themselves that they will give everything to build a squad and a value system that will conquer all, and that job is not done yet. <span id="more-231956"></span></p>
<p>While recent successes in the HSBC SVNS Series have fuelled that desire and now, with the World Championship title at stake, Blitzbok captain Impi Visser said they have two more steps on the ladder and will not stop in their desire to reach the top.</p>
<p>The South Africans finalized their preparation for this weekend’s HSBC SVNS Valladolid after a late arrival on Monday resulted in only one intense training session on Tuesday. Earlier on Wednesday, Visser was on duty at the traditional captains’ photo before the tournament kicks off on Friday.</p>
<p>“We have met most of the objectives we set for ourselves, but it is not done as we’ve not achieved everything we’ve committed too,” Visser said on Wednesday.</p>
<p>“We have done good things thus far, but we must keep reminding ourselves and pushing each other that the job is not done yet.</p>
<p>“That fuels the fire in the squad and our session yesterday was sharp, despite the long travel to get here. Luckily it is quite hot here, as we prefer these conditions, especially after the rain back home last week.”</p>
<p>The Blitzboks have suffered very few injury disruptions this season and that helped in the momentum.</p>
<p>“We have three changes from Hong Kong with Dewald (Human), Ricky (Duarttee) and Gino (Cupido) back, but all of them played during the regular season and slotted back in nicely, so we are good to go,” said Visser.</p>
<p>“We had some time post Hong Kong to work on some soft skills and fine-tuned our strategies for this tournament. So, we came prepared.”</p>
<p>Visser said that without showing up with the right attitude and mindset at Estadio Jose Zorrilla on Friday, their Pool A matches against Great Britain, Kenya and Australia can easily go south.</p>
<p>“We had a slow start in Hong Kong and then had to scramble to get back into it, and we don&#8217;t want that to happen again,” he said. “The focus now moves to Great Britain, who is really good at the breakdown; Kenya, who is so physical; and then Australia, who is very skilful. It is going to be a competitive pool and we need to be at our best.”</p>
<p><strong>South Africa’s Pool A fixtures (SA times, all matches live on SuperSport):</strong></p>
<p><strong>Friday 29 May</strong><br />
<strong>12h34:</strong> Great Britain<br />
<strong>17h08:</strong> Kenya</p>
<p><strong>Saturday, 29 May<br />
13h23:</strong> Australia</p>
<p><strong>HSBC SVNS World Championship standings:</strong><br />
1 South Africa – 20 pts<br />
2 Argentina – 18<br />
3 Spain – 16<br />
4 New Zealand – 14<br />
5 Fiji – 12</p>
<p><strong>Issued by SA Rugby Communications</strong></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.sportsclub.co.za/rugby/blitzboks/blitzboks-still-have-season-objectives-to-achieve/">Blitzboks still have season objectives to achieve</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.sportsclub.co.za">SportsClub</a>.</p>
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		<title>Cupido: Blitzboks Go Back To Zero In Spain</title>
		<link>https://www.sportsclub.co.za/rugby/blitzboks/cupido-blitzboks-go-back-to-zero-in-spain/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Dylan]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 28 May 2026 07:33:10 +0000</pubDate>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.sportsclub.co.za/?p=231917</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Fair to say success tends to follow Springbok Sevens outside back Gino Cupido, and where top-class rugby has been played on the global stage in 2025 and 2026, he has left a footprint.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.sportsclub.co.za/rugby/blitzboks/cupido-blitzboks-go-back-to-zero-in-spain/">Cupido: Blitzboks Go Back To Zero In Spain</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.sportsclub.co.za">SportsClub</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Fair to say success tends to follow Springbok Sevens outside back Gino Cupido, and where top-class rugby has been played on the global stage in 2025 and 2026, he has left a footprint. <span id="more-231917"></span></p>
<p>Looking at tournaments and competitions won, the 20-year-old from Sir Lowry’s Pass Village near Somerset West has already secured some pretty impressive medals in global competitions, including the World Junior Championship with the Junior Springboks (in Italy in 2025) and the HSBC SVNS Series, where the South Africans claimed tournament wins in Cape Town, Perth, Vancouver and New York in the 2025/26 season.</p>
<p>It was clear when he scored with his first touch of the ball on debut – last season in Hong Kong – that a special career is unfolding, and it was no surprise that the Blitzboks won both the North American tournaments Cupido played in the 2026 series.</p>
<p>Now, in only his fourth outing for the Blitzboks, Cupido is ready to again help his team push for glory.</p>
<p>“It is great to be back, especially as I was cleared a bit earlier than originally planned, and to be part of the World Championship is great,” said Cupido from Valladolid, following an eventful trip to the Spanish city.</p>
<p>“I did not play in that once-off tournament last year, and I missed out last month in Hong Kong, but now I am so grateful to be part of the squad for the final two events.”</p>
<p>The Blitzboks were delayed in Amsterdam because of a flat airplane tyre and a rough landing, but Cupido sees that as part of the journey.</p>
<p>“The three-hour trip from Madrid was also long, but it all was worth it, as we are the privileged ones to be here,” he said. “I know how some of the squad back home would swop places any day, so we count our blessings being on tour and part of such an amazing group.”</p>
<p>It made the rehabilitation process worth it, Cupido reflected: “Yes, the timing of my injuries this year was not great, as I also missed the win in Cape Town and the special one in Hong Kong, but one thing about this squad, our wins are literally for everyone involved, whether we are part of the squad or back home.</p>
<p>“Rehab can be lonely but knowing that you are building your body to come back to this team makes it worth the while.”</p>
<p>The squad will have a training session late afternoon, but it will not – as per Spanish custom – be a lazy siesta.</p>
<p>“We have some work to do, you can never rest on your laurels and this team always get back to zero, something we will do again,” said Cupido. “There is a target on our backs, and every team wants to beat us, so there will be no time to fool around.”</p>
<p><strong>South Africa’s Pool A fixtures (SA times, all matches live on SuperSport):</strong></p>
<p>Friday 29 May<br />
12h34: Great Britain<br />
17h08: Kenya</p>
<p>Saturday, 29 May<br />
13h23: Australia</p>
<p><strong>Issued by SA Rugby Communications</strong></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.sportsclub.co.za/rugby/blitzboks/cupido-blitzboks-go-back-to-zero-in-spain/">Cupido: Blitzboks Go Back To Zero In Spain</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.sportsclub.co.za">SportsClub</a>.</p>
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		<title>Cupido and Human added to Blitzbok squad for European tour</title>
		<link>https://www.sportsclub.co.za/rugby/blitzboks/cupido-and-human-added-to-blitzbok-squad-for-european-tour/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Dylan]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 22 May 2026 08:24:19 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Blitzboks]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Dewald Human]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[HSBC SVNS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HSBC SVNS World Championship]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[sevens]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[springbok sevens]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.sportsclub.co.za/?p=231744</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Backline players Dewald Human and Gino Cupido have been included in the Springbok Sevens squad that will travel to Spain and France on Sunday to compete in the final two HSBC SVNS World Championship tournaments, in Valladolid and Bordeaux. The duo missed out on the first of the three World Championship events – won by [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.sportsclub.co.za/rugby/blitzboks/cupido-and-human-added-to-blitzbok-squad-for-european-tour/">Cupido and Human added to Blitzbok squad for European tour</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.sportsclub.co.za">SportsClub</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Backline players Dewald Human and Gino Cupido have been included in the Springbok Sevens squad that will travel to Spain and France on Sunday to compete in the final two HSBC SVNS World Championship tournaments, in Valladolid and Bordeaux. <span id="more-231744"></span></p>
<p>The duo missed out on the first of the three World Championship events – won by the Blitzboks in Hong Kong last month – due to injury, but they have recovered and will have a specific role to play on tour, Bok Sevens head coach Philip Snyman said on Thursday.</p>
<p>“It is great to be able to select from a big squad for our final two tournaments, as we only have Christie Grobbelaar (calf), Nabo Sokoyi (shoulder) and Zander Reynders (shoulder) out of contention,” said Snyman.</p>
<p>“I had some tough decisions to make but opted for Dewald as an extra flyhalf option given the back-to-back tournaments, while Gino replaces Donavan Don at centre, where we are looking for a bit more height in the midfield and a slight change in approach in that position.</p>
<p>“I have to compliment and mention our medical team who again did an excellent job to have so many players fit, ready and in contention for selection.”</p>
<p>Human and Shilton van Wyk look set to reach 35 tournaments when the Blitzboks arrive in Bordeaux for the second tournament of the trip.</p>
<p>“That is a benchmark in our team, so it will be a special moment for both, something that will be shared by all, as well as those who did not make the squad,” said Snyman. “The guys that stay behind deserve a lot of credit for their hard work as well.”</p>
<p>The Blitzboks will face Great Britain, Kenya and Australia in Pool A at Estadio Jose Zorrilla next week.</p>
<p>“We do not prepare for specific teams in mind; it is more about what we want to go out and achieve on the field of play,” said Snyman.</p>
<p>“We learned some lessons in Hong Kong and adjusted accordingly in our sessions since then and I think we are in a good space. The big squad resulted in very competitive training sessions, so we leave here well prepared.</p>
<p>“We know there is a target on our back in every match we play, so need to be ready. We saw in Hong Kong how easy you can trip up if not ready from the very first game, so made the necessary changes in our approach to prevent a slow start.”</p>
<p><strong>South Africa’s Pool A fixtures (all matches live on SuperSport):</strong></p>
<p><strong>Friday 29 May:</strong> (SA times)<br />
<strong>12h34:</strong> Great Britain<br />
<strong>17h08:</strong> Kenya</p>
<p>Saturday, 29 May<br />
<strong>13h23:</strong> Australia</p>
<p><strong>Springbok Sevens squad (with HSBC SVNS stats):</strong><br />
#2 Ryan Oosthuizen &#8211; 63 tournaments, 285 points (57 tries)<br />
#3 Impi Visser (captain) &#8211; 51 tournaments, 240 points (48 tries)<br />
#4 Zain Davids &#8211; 58 tournaments, 255 points (51 tries)<br />
#7 Ronald Brown &#8211; 25 tournaments, 505 points (51 tries, 125 conversions)<br />
#8 Selvyn Davids &#8211; 47 tournaments, 793 points (107 tries, 129 conversions, 1 penalty goal)<br />
#10 Dewald Human &#8211; 33 tournaments, 330 points (30 tries, 90 conversions)<br />
#11 Siviwe Soyizwapi &#8211; 65 tournaments, 805 points (161 tries)<br />
#12 Shilton van Wyk &#8211; 33 tournaments, 370 points (74 tries)<br />
#14 Quewin Nortje – 13 tournaments, 165 points (33 tries)<br />
#16 Sebastiaan Jobb – 9 tournaments, 80 points (16 tries)<br />
#19 David Brits &#8211; 16 tournaments, 60 points (12 tries)<br />
#24 Tristan Leyds &#8211; 18 tournaments, 236 points (30 tries, 43 conversions)<br />
#31 Jayden Nell – 2 tournaments, 0 points<br />
#35 Gino Cupido – 3 tournaments, 30 points (6 tries)</p>
<p><strong>Issued by SA Rugby Communications</strong></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.sportsclub.co.za/rugby/blitzboks/cupido-and-human-added-to-blitzbok-squad-for-european-tour/">Cupido and Human added to Blitzbok squad for European tour</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.sportsclub.co.za">SportsClub</a>.</p>
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		<title>Jobb: Blitzboks won’t rest on their laurels in Europe</title>
		<link>https://www.sportsclub.co.za/rugby/blitzboks/jobb-blitzboks-wont-rest-on-their-laurels-in-europe/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Dylan]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 18 May 2026 09:20:37 +0000</pubDate>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.sportsclub.co.za/?p=231674</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>The absolute joy of the HSBC SVNS Cape Town crowd – when the Blitzboks won a consecutive home tournament at DHL Stadium in December last year – was shared by Sebastiaan Jobb, and at that moment, the Springbok Sevens wing made a promise to himself: he was going to be part of the next trophy lift.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.sportsclub.co.za/rugby/blitzboks/jobb-blitzboks-wont-rest-on-their-laurels-in-europe/">Jobb: Blitzboks won’t rest on their laurels in Europe</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.sportsclub.co.za">SportsClub</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The absolute joy of the HSBC SVNS Cape Town crowd – when the Blitzboks won a consecutive home tournament at DHL Stadium in December last year – was shared by Sebastiaan Jobb, and at that moment, the Springbok Sevens wing made a promise to himself: he was going to be part of the next trophy lift. <span id="more-231674"></span></p>
<p>Five months later, Jobb has now shared that special moment with his team mates in Perth, Vancouver and New York, where the Blitzboks were crowned HSBC SVNS series champions.</p>
<p>And when the HSBC SVNS World Championship kicked off in Hong Kong, Jobb was again part of the squad that made history by becoming the first from South Africa to be crowned champions in the Far Eastern city, with Jobb scoring tries and making crucial turnovers in all those tense finals.</p>
<p>Four in a row after sitting out for so long is not enough and he wants more, Jobb said with a broad smile as the Blitzboks finished another gruelling session at their Stellenbosch base. This time, they are preparing for the final two legs of the World Championship to be played in Valladolid, Spain (29-31 May) and Bordeaux, France (5-7 June), and the Kakamas-born speedster is adamant that if he can have it his way, more is to come.</p>
<p>“I was sitting in the Cape Town crowd and as happy I was for the guys, so determined was I to make sure sure I am on the field when we play again,” said Jobb, who turns 27 on Wednesday.</p>
<p>“I did well in pre-season, but was not selected for the Dubai and Cape Town legs, which hurt to be honest. But I looked at myself, rather than blaming others and decided to work even harder.”</p>
<p>Already strong in his faith, Jobb make some lifestyle changes as well: “I was running and training with my wife and brother-in-law at Kuilsriver Rugby Club every day during our December break, just trying to fine tune my game even further and changed some of my eating and social habits.”</p>
<p>When Blitzbok coach Philip Snyman announced his first squad in 2026, Jobb was named to travel to Singapore and Perth.</p>
<p>He doesn’t have many happy memories from the Singapore tournament, but mentally Jobb could put a red card for a high tackle during his previous visit to the National Stadium behind him.</p>
<p>Jobb made his debut during the Hong Kong and Sinagpore leg in 2023, a season where the Blitzboks struggled. In 2024, he was injured at crucial times, but last season the breaks (and some misfortune) came.</p>
<p>“I was selected to go to Vancouver and got a red card and when I got my next opportunity, in Singapore in 2025 I was red carded again and that almost broke me, to be honest,” said Jobb, who only had four tournaments in three seasons to show at that stage of his career.</p>
<p>The 2025 season finished on a high for the Blitzboks, when they won the inaugural World Championship in Los Angeles, and when Snyman named a group of fringe players to play in the Africa Cup in Mauritius last year, Jobb sent a strong reminder that he is still around with a good display of his abilities.</p>
<p>Singapore 2026 was soul cleansing for Jobb as he delivered a strong performance, and in Perth a week later, a decisive performance against Fiji in the final rewarded his commitment made in the DHL Stadium in December: he was finally part of the trophy lift. That continued in Vancouver, New York and Hong Kong.</p>
<p>“The players are really working hard for each other, our training sessions are intense and full of detail, and I am happy to be part of that,” said Jobb.</p>
<p>“Playing wing in sevens does not mean you can just stand on the outside and waiting for someone to pass you the ball, you have to have an all-round game on attack and defence.”</p>
<p>Snyman will only announce his travelling squad to Spain and France later in the week, so Jobb is not taking anything for granted in a season that delivered so much already: “Of course I want to be in the squad as we are not yet done for the season. We have done well, but we can still do better and that is why we are working hard in training. It is a great environment and to be part of this is what I hoped for.”</p>
<p>The Blitzboks will depart for Spain on Sunday.</p>
<p><strong>Issued by SA Rugby Communications</strong></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.sportsclub.co.za/rugby/blitzboks/jobb-blitzboks-wont-rest-on-their-laurels-in-europe/">Jobb: Blitzboks won’t rest on their laurels in Europe</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.sportsclub.co.za">SportsClub</a>.</p>
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		<title>Big lessons for Springbok Women&#8217;s Sevens in Hong Kong</title>
		<link>https://www.sportsclub.co.za/rugby/springbok-womens-sevens/big-lessons-for-springbok-womens-sevens-in-hong-kong/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Dylan]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 20 Apr 2026 09:49:17 +0000</pubDate>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.sportsclub.co.za/?p=231059</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>The Springbok Women&#8217;s Sevens enjoyed the highs of winning an important pool match but also experienced the lows of finding the intensity of top teams such as Australia and Canada too hot to handle at this weekend&#8217;s Cathay / HSBC SVNS Hong Kong. That was the frank assessment from SA coach Cecil Afrika as his [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.sportsclub.co.za/rugby/springbok-womens-sevens/big-lessons-for-springbok-womens-sevens-in-hong-kong/">Big lessons for Springbok Women&#8217;s Sevens in Hong Kong</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.sportsclub.co.za">SportsClub</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The Springbok Women&#8217;s Sevens enjoyed the highs of winning an important pool match but also experienced the lows of finding the intensity of top teams such as Australia and Canada too hot to handle at this weekend&#8217;s Cathay / HSBC SVNS Hong Kong. <span id="more-231059"></span></p>
<p>That was the frank assessment from SA coach Cecil Afrika as his team completed the first of three HSBC SVNS World Championship events in 12th place and now have a massive battle on their hands to climb their way into the top eight in the final two events in Spain and France next month.</p>
<p>Defeats on day one to Australia and Canada were followed by a famous win over Great Britain in their final pool match, but the Bok Women faltered thereafter, losing to Great Britain in the ninth-place semi-final before going down against Argentina on Sunday.</p>
<p>“The win over Great Britain on Saturday was massive for us because they had core status this year and we did not,” said Afrika.</p>
<p>“It proved to us that we can play at that level and win, but only if we use our opportunities. When we played them again on the same day, but did not do that, we paid the price. That was a good lesson to learn, and we will be better for it.”</p>
<p>Coming into the tournament without a number of injured regular starters meant the Bok Women were under pressure from the start, but they had their moments against Australia and Canada, who are in the top four of the rankings.</p>
<p>Afrika said: “We saw when we stuck to our plans, we achieved results. The team did not have that much time together due to all the injuries and short turnaround, so we can certainly be better in the departments where we did well.</p>
<p>“And of course, we will be better in those areas where we showed weakness. We have a lot of work to do back at home.”</p>
<p>An injury to Asisipho Plaatjies on day one did not help either, neither did the red card to Lerato Makua for head contact against Great Britain in their playoff match on the second day.</p>
<p>The intensity of the matches also caught up with his squad, Afrika said: “We are not used to that and could not respond well enough. Especially our kick-offs and kick-off receives were not up to standard and that is an area we will work one once we come back home.</p>
<p>“I am pleased with some of our work on attack, where we managed to create some good tries when everyone was on the same page. We could not always sustain that, which is something we will try to fine tune as we prepare for the tournaments in Spain and France next month.”</p>
<p><strong>Selected Springbok Women&#8217;s Sevens statistics:</strong></p>
<p><strong>Most points:</strong><br />
20: Maria Tshiremba – 4 tries<br />
8: Byrhandré Dolf – 4 conversions</p>
<p><strong>Most tries:</strong><br />
4: Maria Tshiremba<br />
1: Lerato Makua, Zintle Mpupha, Shanidiné Bezuidenhout</p>
<p><strong>Pool draw for the HSBC SVNS Valladolid:</strong><br />
A: New Zealand, Japan, Brazil, Argentina<br />
B: Australia, USA, Fiji, South Africa<br />
C: France, Canada, Spain, Great Britain</p>
<p><strong>Issued by SA Rugby Communications</strong></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.sportsclub.co.za/rugby/springbok-womens-sevens/big-lessons-for-springbok-womens-sevens-in-hong-kong/">Big lessons for Springbok Women&#8217;s Sevens in Hong Kong</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.sportsclub.co.za">SportsClub</a>.</p>
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		<title>Blitzboks stand tallest amongst Hong Kong skyscrapers</title>
		<link>https://www.sportsclub.co.za/top-story/blitzboks-stand-tallest-amongst-hong-kong-skyscrapers/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Dylan]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 20 Apr 2026 09:03:54 +0000</pubDate>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.sportsclub.co.za/?p=231047</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>The Springbok Sevens squad that won their very first HSBC SVNS Hong Kong tournament in such a clinical and commanding fashion deserve all the applause and credit for doing so, but according to Blitzbok head coach Philip Snyman, they will not get ahead of themselves as their dream season is not over yet.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.sportsclub.co.za/top-story/blitzboks-stand-tallest-amongst-hong-kong-skyscrapers/">Blitzboks stand tallest amongst Hong Kong skyscrapers</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.sportsclub.co.za">SportsClub</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The Springbok Sevens squad that won their very first HSBC SVNS Hong Kong tournament in such a clinical and commanding fashion deserve all the applause and credit for doing so, but according to Blitzbok head coach Philip Snyman, they will not get ahead of themselves as their dream season is not over yet. <span id="more-231047"></span></p>
<p>Snyman was part of a back to back world series winning team and captained them as they won all over the world except for Hong Kong, so he understands the emotions of winning at the home of sevens for the first time, thanks to a commanding 35-7 victory over Argentina in the final at Kai Tak Sports Stadium.</p>
<p>“I’m almost speechless,” Snyman said afterwards.</p>
<p>“There is a massive feeling of pride and gratitude at this moment. We waited so long for this, and I am happy we finally did it. I am also very happy for us as a group, not only those here tonight, but also those back home who worked just as hard to make it possible.”</p>
<p>Snyman said they will pause and reflect on what they managed to achieve: “We will just relax and enjoy and celebrate tonight. We know the job is not done, but 50 years was a long time to wait for this.”</p>
<p>The Blitzbok coach also reflected on their recovery of form after they were outplayed in their second pool match on Friday and said the team had a serious chat on Friday evening after they delivered an underwhelming performances against Uruguay and Spain.</p>
<p>“We just reminded everyone who we are, what we represent and what we came to do,” he said. “The book on Hong Kong 2026 might not have had six perfect chapters, but what a great ending to the story.”</p>
<p>Snyman was also very pleased with the effort shown on Sunday: “The way we came back from that stutter was exceptional, especially today when we played against two very good teams in New Zealand and Argentina. We were so clinical and effective in everything we did, it was wonderful to see first-hand.”</p>
<p>On their current run of form, Snyman said they are enjoying the moment: “Four tournament wins from four is amazing and we are enjoying it, knowing it will not last forever. For now though, we are enjoying it and feeling very proud of what we have achieved so far.”</p>
<p>Blitzbok captain Impi Visser said the squad will forever remember this moment and he is proud to be part of this piece of history.</p>
<p>“I am just so proud of the boys because we achieved something special today,” said Visser. “We broke the hoodoo in Hong Kong and can finally call ourselves champions here and that is amazing.&#8221;</p>
<p>Visser said the defeat against Spain on day one shocked them: “We came back from a dark place on Friday night as that defeat hurt, as suddenly doubt started to creep in, but we had a good chat and turned it around like I expected the guys to do.</p>
<p>“There are massive fight and pride in this team, and it showed once we were under pressure. We realised the focus should be on creating and assisting in a try rather than thinking of the celebration of it and we turned it around, that big win over Argentina Saturday laid the foundation for the rest of the tournament.</p>
<p>“Today was a showcase of what we are capable of. The management moulded us into a competitive team and credit for them.”</p>
<p>On the winning streak, Visser said: “We will keep our heads down and stay honest once we get back to work for the next two tournaments. We have seen hard work pays off, so there is no need to change that habit now.”</p>
<p><strong>Selected Blitzbok statistics:</strong></p>
<p>Most points:<br />
43: Tristan Leyds &#8211; 5 tries, 9 conversions<br />
27: Selvyn Davids &#8211; 5 tries, 1 conversion<br />
15: Ryan Oosthuizen, Shilton van Wyk &#8211; 3 tries</p>
<p><strong>HSBC SVNS World Championship standings:</strong><br />
1 South Africa – 20 pts<br />
2 Argentina – 18<br />
3 Spain – 16<br />
4 New Zealand – 14<br />
5 Fiji – 12</p>
<p><strong>Issued by SA Rugby Communications</strong></p>
<p><strong>Image: Blitzbok/X</strong></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.sportsclub.co.za/top-story/blitzboks-stand-tallest-amongst-hong-kong-skyscrapers/">Blitzboks stand tallest amongst Hong Kong skyscrapers</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.sportsclub.co.za">SportsClub</a>.</p>
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