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Blitzboks reset for Hong Kong with focus on complete performance

Adnaan MohamedNewsLeave a Comment on Blitzboks reset for Hong Kong with focus on complete performance
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.

All the captains at the Hong Kong Sevens Photo Credit: SA Rugby

“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

Blitzboks Seek Pride and Payback in Cape Town Sevens Showdown

Adnaan MohamedNews, Rugby, SpringboksLeave a Comment on Blitzboks Seek Pride and Payback in Cape Town Sevens Showdown
By Adnaan Mohamed

The early Cape Town light had just begun dissolving the mist over Table Mountain when the Blitzboks filed through the airport doors, the weariness of a long Dubai flight etched into their shoulders. But in the middle of the group, Ricardo Duarttee walked with the quiet intent of a man who’d already circled one date in bold red: Cape Town Sevens weekend.

Dubai may have left them with a fifth-place finish and a few unwelcome scratch marks, but the sweepers and speedsters of South Africa’s Sevens squad are not known for dwelling on bruises. The moment their plane hit the tarmac, the city’s salty summer breeze felt like a second chance.

“We regrouped on Sunday already after the disappointment of Saturday, as one could see on our day two results,” Duarttee explained, the memory of a tough pool still lingering.

“It hurts that we dropped results to Fiji and Argentina in our pool, but we came back on Sunday to get some belief back.”

Belief – South African rugby’s most renewable resource – will matter again this weekend when the Blitzboks step into DHL Stadium, a venue Duarttee speaks of the way some speak of childhood playgrounds.

“Cape Town is just such a special place to play at. There is a massive feeling of excitement for the weekend.”

The Blitzboks hoisted the Cape Town trophy last year, only the second time since the tournament moved south in 2015, and no one in green and gold is in the mood to wait another eight years for the next.

“We certainly do not want to wait that long again, in fact, the squad will be very determined to right the wrongs from Dubai,” he said.

For Duarttee, statistics and score tallies don’t define their mission. Emotion does. Connection does. And the home crowd with the sea of flags, the hum of vuvuzelas, the familiar roar matters more than any number on the scoreboard.

“We play for the love of the game, for the passion we have for it and this weekend, we get to play in front of family, friends and loyal supporters.”

Pool of Death

This year’s pool is ruthless: New Zealand first, then the familiar bruises of Fiji, rounded off by Great Britain. But to Duarttee, that’s the perfect storm.

“What an opportunity this will be for us to rectify the mistakes and show what we are capable of, especially in front of a proper crowd to cheer us on. I cannot wait for Saturday, it is going to be a huge day.”

He didn’t end the conversation so much as issue a call to arms.

“We need to put some pride back in the Springbok Sevens jersey and where better that right here. There is no place like DHL Stadium on the weekend of the Cape Town Sevens.

“We need our supporters to come and celebrate our only opportunity to play at home with us. See you there.”

Source: SA Rugby