Springbok Sevens coach Philip Snyman is adamant that to achieve greatness, his side must face the best teams on the SVNS Series head-on as they look to get off to a fast start at the Perth tournament this weekend.
The South Africans will open their account Down Under on Friday morning, looking to back up their excellent performance in the Cape Town Sevens last December.
Buoyed by the return of some stalwarts after injuries, the Blitzboks will back themselves to go far in the first leg of 2025.
“We want to be the best team in the world, so this weekend in Perth will show us how far we are from that objective,” Snyman stated on Thursday, saying they prepared thoroughly for a challenging pool that includes the USA, Australia and the high-flying Argentina.
The Blitzboks come into the tournament with momentum after their underdog win in the Mother City.
While that triumph is now a part of history, it has instilled a competitive belief within the squad.
“That win gave us the belief that we are good enough to win. Now we must make sure that we maintain the standards we have set,” Snyman stressed.
In a season marked by fierce competition, the coach also acknowledged that there are no so-called "easy games”, and emphasised the necessity of performing at the highest level.
He singled out the opening match against the USA, set for Friday morning (8.23am SA time start), as pivotal in laying the groundwork for their campaign.
The Aussies (1.52pm) will await them in the second match on Friday, while the Blitzboks face Argentina (7.50am) in the final group match on Saturday morning.
Working on a final few touches before the action kicks off in Perth tomorrow ✍️🏉#PoweredByUnity#HSBCSVNS pic.twitter.com/Nh9fIF3bXF
“We want to lay a solid foundation in that first game, so it is an important one for us,” Snyman said, acknowledging the Americans’ size and heart.
He also hinted at the potential influence of the Australian climate.
“The heat could also be a factor and benefit to us,” he added, knowing that they’ve been training in the summer heat of Stellenbosch.
Alongside their strategic focus, the synergy within the Blitzboks squad remains strong, according to Snyman.
“We have the same guys that started the final in Cape Town, and the inclusion of Ryan Oosthuizen, Ronald Brown and Selvyn Davids will add experience and X-factor to that group,” he explained, showcasing the depth and readiness of his team.
Brown returns to the fray after missing the earlier Dubai and Cape Town tournaments due to a muscle strain.
Eager to make his mark, the playmaker reflected on his previous experience in Perth, where a shoulder injury disrupted his performance.
“Injuries are part of the game, so one learns to cope with it,” Brown said.
Special day for #ZainDavids at #hsbcsvnsperth as he hits 5⃣0⃣ tournaments! #PoweredByUnity pic.twitter.com/CmlpQYDYlO
— Springbok Sevens (@Blitzboks) January 23, 2025
“But having the support of everyone in the squad makes the rehab and recovery a lot easier.
“This time, I’d like to leave Australia with a better memory than a year ago.” | Independent Media Sport