Zander Reynders’ debut for the Springbok Sevens, a year ago at the HSBC SVNS Cape Town, was a surreal experience and to return to DHL Stadium where it all started was a reminder of how blessed his rugby career has been since.
The overnight flight from Dubai to Cape Town was more than enough time for the Blitzboks to reflect on their fifth place finish at the Emirates Dubai 7s tournament and upon arrival in the Mother City this morning, Springbok Sevens sweeper Ricardo Duarttee was ready for another bite at the cherry.
It wasn’t all doom and gloom for Springbok Sevens head coach Philip Snyman after the Blitzboks’ fifth-place finish at the Emirates Dubai 7s on Sunday, but he admitted that they did not perform to their own expectations.
There has been a constant thread coming from the Springbok Sevens in Dubai this week, a positive message from players and the team’s head coach Philip Snyman that the Blitzboks are ready and able to deliver another memorable Emirates Dubai 7s performance to start the new HSBC SVNS season on a high note.
It was an umpteenth trip to the Emirates Dubai Sevens for Impi Visser on Monday, but the first time as Springbok Sevens captain – little wonder he represented the Blitzboks with dignified pride and confidence at the official captains’ photo this week.
It will be almost four years to the day when a bright-eyed 21-year-old Shilton van Wyk ran onto the pitch at The Sevens Stadium in Dubai, representing the Springbok Sevens for the first time on the international stage.
Six tournament victories out of eight played is no mean feat, but for Ryan Oosthuizen, another go at glory at the Emirates Dubai 7s tournament this weekend could not come quick enough.
Eleven players involved in their season-ending HSBC SVNS World Championship victory in Los Angeles in May will be part of the Springbok Sevens squad for the 2026 HSBC SVNS opener in Dubai next weekend, while Blitzbok head coach Philip Snyman added experienced stalwarts Christie Grobbelaar and Donavan Don to his team.
It took him nine tournaments and two seasons – during which he was part of two HSBC SVNS tournament wins – to finally come to terms with rugby sevens and his Blitzbok role, and now, David Brits cannot wait for the new season to start for him to give it his best shot.
Springbok Sevens head coach Philip Snyman expressed his satisfaction with the progress of his squad’s HSBC SVNS pre-season preparations on Thursday, as they finished their final condition block before the 2026 season kicks off.