The Springbok Sevens dodged a first bullet in Hong Kong this weekend, which was an important objective for the team, and according to interim head coach Philip Snyman, their next aim is to rise back into the top four again.
Sevens coaches can hardly ask for a more daunting start to their HSBC SVNS career than what is facing Philip Snyman, the Springbok Sevens’ new interim head coach, this weekend, but the 37-year-old will take it in his stride.
Springbok Sevens team interim head coach Philip Snyman has made four changes to the squad for the next HSBC SVNS tournament, next weekend in Hong Kong.
Springbok Sevens head coach Sandile Ngcobo will not travel with the team to Dubai for the 2024 HSBC SVNS opener due to medical reasons, with assistant coach Philip Snyman taking over the main coaching responsibilities.
The Springbok Sevens team arrived from the USA in a cold Vancouver this week battered and bruised, having lost four of five matches at the HSBC LA Sevens last weekend, while Jaiden Baron, Masande Mtshali and Travis Ismaiel returned home after picking up injuries last weekend that ruled them out of action.
They have a track record of performing in the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series and there are quite a number of achievements in the Springbok Sevens’ set-up and history, including five tournament victories on American soil, but for Philip Snyman there will only be tears at this weekend’s HSBC LA Sevens if the effort from the South African side is lacking.
Blitzboks captain Philip Snyman says he is proud of his injury-plagued side’s third-place finish at the Cape Town Sevens. (more…)