Springbok Sevens head coach Philip Snyman congratulated all involved with the Blitzbok system after they secured a unique double in the 2026 season when they followed up their HSBC SVNS Series triumph by successfully defending their World Championship title.
The Blitzboks played in six finals out of nine tournaments, won five and on Sunday, retained the HSBC SVNS World Championship title they won in Los Angeles last year.
The South Africans also won 37 matches, more than any other team this season, and for Snyman, those were the fruits of a harvest that is founded in hard work, positive work ethos and a buy-in of a shared culture of competitive excellence and honesty.
“I am so very, very proud on this team, and to win both the World Series and the World Championship is a special feat indeed,” said Snyman.
“The fact that we won the Hong Kong tournament for the first time ever was probably the highlight of the World Championship, and along with playing in the final last weekend, that laid the foundation for us to retain our World Championship status.
“We did not make it easy for ourselves this weekend – we didn’t play our best rugby here in France and at times we were our own worst enemies, but the hard work done earlier in the championship race laid the foundation. I am so happy and proud to be associated with this team and system.”
Snyman said everyone involved with the Springbok Sevens system can rightfully feel proud, despite a weekend where they did not sustain their winning momentum.
“I am humbled and proud to be part of this squad,” he said. “We did not always play our best rugby, but our effort could never be faulted.”
Snyman said Tristan Leyds was a worthy winner of the Men’s Player of the Year award: “He joined us over two years ago and has quickly grown into a senior player, someone who worked really hard to upskill himself to the demands of sevens rugby, while also remained a positive squad member.
“He is a worthy winner. I played with all three previous winners, Cecil Afrika, Werner Kok, and Seabelo Senatla, and coached Tristan. He is right up there with the best.”
Snyman also applauded leading try-scorer for the season, Shilton van Wyk, who also made the season’s Dream Team: “I am very happy for Shilton too, named alongside Tristan in the Dream Team. If I had my way, the seven players would all be from the Blitzboks, but then, I am biased after all,” Snyman smiled.
“Our aims and goals for the season are well known. We wanted to grow our depth, make every semifinal and start the momentum to make us the best system in the world.
“Fair to say we are not there yet, but we are going in the right direction and for that I am very grateful. We introduced six or seven players to the world series and that will benefit is for the next season or two.
“It is great to have the backing of SA Rugby and the support we receive from South Africans are amazing. Most of our squad are contracted until 2028 and we are looking at bringing in a couple more talented players as we build towards the next Olympics.”
On Sunday, however, the Blitzboks failed to add to their winning tally on the final day of the HSBC SVNS World Championship in Bordeaux, and although they will be disappointed, they claimed the big prize by defending their World Championship title.
They achieved that goal on Saturday already and, with the job done, Impi Visser and his men can be excused for not setting the same standards on the final day, where they suffered a semifinal defeat to France and lost to Spain for the bronze medal.
Having to start the day with only 10 fit players and then also losing Visser before their final match was taxing enough, but France and Spain deserve credit for leaving their best efforts for last.
An early knock-on and a spilt pass by the Blitzboks gave France the lead when they raced away to score, but a try from 80m out by Tristan Leyds, superbly converted by Ricardo Duarttee from out wide, made it 7-7.
Duarttee then broke well and Sebastiaan Jobb almost went over, but he was forced into touch on the corner flag as the halftime whistle went.
The French scored first in the second half, again from an unforced error by South Africa. Leading 14-7, the hosts then got the crucial third try after they dominated a breakdown, and at 21-7, they were in control.
Donavan Don made his trip to France earlier in the week worth his while with a long range try, but the French held on for a 21-12 win.
Against Spain in the third-place play-off, Shilton van Wyk scored early after kicking ahead and chasing down his own kick for his fourth try of the weekend in what was one of the Blitzboks’ best individual efforts in Bordeaux.
Spain fluffed their lines from the restart and from the resulting possession, Duarttee scored an acrobatic try, which he converted to give South Africa a 14-0 lead in midway through the first half.
But Spain scored next after a patient build-up, where they kept the ball alive in contact, and eventually the SA defence faltered. Zain Davids was yellow carded for impeding on the pass and after that, South Africa imploded.
Spain immediately capitalised on that extra played and scored under the sticks when a desperate SA defence over-tracked to make it 14-14 at the break, and still playing against only six men, they made that 19-14 early in the second half.
The Spanish were on a roll and even when Davids returned, a well-executed lineout play handed then a fourth try and a 26-14 lead.
Duarttee was then yellow carded with three minutes left, which sealed the deal for Spain. Getting desperate on attack as they were running out of time, a long pass was intercepted by Spain, whose converted try made it 33-14.
Another unforced error, this time a charged down kick, allowed Spain to score a final try to rub salt into the wounds of the championship winning side.
SCORERS:
Third-place play-off: South Africa 14 (14), Spain 40 (14)
SA – Tries: Shilton van Wyk, Ricardo Duarttee. Conversions: Duarttee (2).
Spain – Tries: Juan Ramos (2), Francisco Cosculluela, Josep Serres, Pol Pla, Angel Bozal. Conversions: Ramos (4), Francisco Cosculluela.
Semifinal: South Africa 12 (7), France 21 (7)
SA – Tries: Tristan Leyds, Donavan Don. Conversion: Ricardo Duarttee.
France – Tries: Enahemo Artaud, Rayan Rebbadj, Antoine Zeghdar. Conversions: Rebbadj, Artaud, Paulin Riva.