The Springbok Sevens finished their HSBC SVNS Perth campaign on a high note by outplaying France 24-5 to finish the tournament in fifth place.
Travelling the world and exploring new destinations with smiles on faces are elements one can attribute to the Springbok Sevens team over many seasons of HSBC SVNS, but as they settled into Perth for yet another new stop in the world series, the real purpose for their trip to West Australia was quickly confirmed by Blitzbok captain Selvyn Davids.
The Blitzboks are well known for playing with smiles on their faces, so don't be surprised to see even more of that in Perth this weekend, when two uncapped players and three returnees to the squad will all bring energy to the squad determined to bounce back from a disappointing outing in Cape Town last month.
Abrasive but elusive, in your face but slippery, a hard man with a soft touch – David Brits is not an easy opponent, boasting a skill set that saw him help the Toyota Cheetahs win the coveted Currie Cup.
The Blitzboks are a team that are best when they have ball in hand and that showed a week ago when they triumphed in Dubai, but disappointingly for Springbok Sevens supporters, they could not do the same this weekend in Cape Town, and paid the price.
Springbok Sevens head coach Sandile Ngcobo named Tiaan Pretorius as the only new player in his squad for this weekend's HSBC SVNS Cape Town tournament, with the former SA Schools centre replacing the injured Christie Grobbelaar from the squad that won the Dubai tournament last weekend.
Watching the final of the Emirates Dubai Sevens last Sunday, the celebrations by the Springbok Sevens at the final whistle may have looked slightly muted – because it was as the victory meant different things to different players.
Springbok Sevens prop Christie Grobbelaar has been ruled out of the HSBC SVNS Cape Town at DHL Stadium this weekend after sustaining an ankle injury.
The two South African Sevens teams will both face the USA on the opening day of the HSBC SVNS Cape Town next Saturday, with the pools announced shortly after the Springbok Sevens team claimed a fifth consecutive title in Dubai on Sunday evening.
The Springbok Sevens 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 Emirates Dubai Sevens on Sunday. (more…)