By Adnaan Mohamed
The Blitzboks head into the Hong Kong Sevens with renewed energy and a clear mission to deliver a complete performance as the World Championship phase kicks off.
Zain Davids returns to the squad refreshed after missing the Vancouver and New York legs, determined to make an impact at a tournament where South Africa are still chasing their first title.
“We are starting this Championship at the same venue and with no log points,” Davids said. “What happened in the past counts for nothing, but what happens this weekend will.
“We have never won here, fair enough, but that is not consuming us. What we want is to be on the same page, execute our game plan as one, and take it one game at a time. For now, that is Uruguay, and from there on in, we’ll take each challenge as it comes.”
Davids said the squad rotation plan has left him physically primed.
“You always want to play in every tournament, but coach Philip laid out his plans… so we all knew that we could be rested along the way,” he said.
“I use the word rested in italics, as our strength and conditioning coach, Ghafoer Luckan, keeps a very sharp eye on our prescribed fitness programme.
“So, I am fit and ready for this one. I’m feeling refreshed and keen to get another trophy win.”
He added that strong South African support in Hong Kong adds extra motivation.
“In a way, if we go all out and finish on top, it will be as much for them as for us.”
Captain Impi Visser believes the series winners must raise their attacking standards despite claiming four titles this season.
“Yes, we are not quite there yet, especially on attack, where we can be much better than what we were in our last tournament in New York,” said Visser.
“There our defence was outstanding, our attack not so much.”
The Blitzboks face Uruguay, Spain and Argentina in Pool A, with Visser stressing the need for focus from the opening match.
“We believe we are the best team on the circuit and as such, we want to prove that by winning this weekend,” he said.
“Being the top ranked team will put a target on our backs, but that is fine. We want to be challenged, but mostly by ourselves.
“Our focus is on what we want to achieve, starting with the match against Uruguay.”
Visser warned against complacency in a tournament where all teams start level.
“We all start at zero, so you underestimate any other team at your own peril,” he said.
“Twelve teams come into the same tournament hoping to achieve the same goal and that is to win it.”
He also underlined the significance of the Hong Kong stop on the sevens circuit.
“Many great names in the game have played and competed here. Just to be part of this is special, to finally finish victorious will be even more so.”
Blitzbok pool schedule (SA times, all matches live on SuperSport)
Friday, 17 April
05h16 Uruguay
08h49 Spain
Saturday, 18 April
06h13 Argentina
