Blitzboks Are Good to Go

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.

Snyman, who played at the tournament eight times, confirmed the sentiments of Blitzbok captain Impi Visser and the most experienced squad member, Ryan Oosthuizen, that they are as well prepared as can be.

The Blitzbok coach is not tapping himself on the shoulder by saying that, as Snyman, a veteran in the world of sevens rugby, knows too well what really matters in what will be a cauldron of intensity and action at The Sevens this weekend. And that is delivery on the day.

“I am very happy with our preparations,” said Snyman.

“Our pre-season went well and in our training session with Great Britain here at Dubai College in the week, things also went very well. So, we are ready.

“Our confidence is good, but this format is a different beast and unlike any other we have seen before for a season opener. The harsh reality is that you have to be on top of your game for every encounter, such is the quality of our opposition.”

The Blitzboks face France, Fiji and Argentina in Pool A and Snyman are well aware of their threats: “France are the Olympic champions and won the Championship the year before us; Fiji are probably the most recognised sevens country in the world and then there is Argentina, who won the series over the last couple of years. We could not have asked for a tougher start.”

The Springbok Sevens travelled to Dubai with the most experienced squad in the tournament and are the only squad not featuring an uncapped player, but the Fijians are leading in try-scoring stats and the most combined points scored, and France boast Olympic gold medal winners.

Snyman previously spoke about his bigger plan for the season, blooding new players during the series and although he is not looking past the opening day at The Sevens, admitted that next weekend’s tournament in Cape Town is also on the radar.

“We know if we hit the ground running in Dubai and do well, we have all the momentum going to Cape Town next weekend to play in the tournament we all strive for. That said, France await,” he said.

Pools:

A: South Africa, France, Argentina, Fiji

B: Spain, New Zealand, Great Britain, Australia

Blitzbok schedule on Saturday (SA times, all games live on SuperSport)

11h32: France

14h16: Fiji

18h34: Argentina

Head-to-Head:

France: Played 72, SA won 61 (average score 23-10 to South Africa)

Last encounter: Los Angeles 2025: SA won 19-10

Fiji: Played 105, SA won 43 (average score 16-17 to Fiji)

Last encounter: Vancouver 2025: SA won 12-10

Argentina: Played 81, SA won 55 (average score 21-12 to South Africa)

Last encounter: Los Angeles 2025: SA won 29-21

Springbok Sevens squad for Dubai (with HSBC SVNS stats):

#1 Christie Grobbelaar – 23 tournaments, 180 points (36 tries)

#2 Ryan Oosthuizen – 56 tournaments, 235 points (47 tries)

#3 Impi Visser (captain) – 46 tournaments, 225 points (45 tries)

#4 Zain Davids – 53 tournaments, 240 points (48 tries)

#5 Ricardo Duarttee – 19 tournaments, 298 points (23 tries, 90 conversions, 1 penalty goal)

#7 Ronald Brown – 20 tournaments, 430 points (44 tries, 105 conversions)

#8 Selvyn Davids – 42 tournaments, 740 points (97 tries, 126 conversions, 1 penalty goal)

#12 Shilton van Wyk – 27 tournaments, 265 points (53 tries)

#13 Mfundo Ndhlovu – 19 tournaments, 125 points (25 tries)

#15 Donavan Don – 9 tournaments, 59 points (11 tries, 2 conversions)

#19 David Brits – 9 tournaments, 40 points (8 tries)

#21 Zander Reynders – 6 tournaments, 10 points (2 tries)

#24 Tristan Leyds – 11 tournaments, 130 points (16 tries, 25 conversions)