The Springbok Sevens team face their next big task as they head into Round three of the HSBC World SVNS Series in Perth this weekend - being able to back up their own form.
Ever since being appointed caretaker coach, Philip Snyman has done an exceptional job with the side, taking them to a bronze medal at the Olympics, and claiming the Cape Town Sevens title against the odds and in front of adoring fans.
Snyman’s hard work behind the scenes to recreate the ethos and passion that had been the hallmarks of Blitzbok sides of the past has not gone unnoticed, and it was only fitting that the moment they showed they had turned the corner came in Cape Town - a tournament they traditionally struggle to handle the pressure of.
But now in Perth the pressure doesn’t let up, and Snyman and co must show that the Cape Town victory was not a one-off, and back up that form with a similar performance over the two days to underline their own progress.
Last season the Blitzboks won Dubai but then fell apart as the season went on and Snyman will be hammering home the high standards the team currently have.
The mix of players is just about perfect to handle any situation on the field, but the real test comes when opposition teams exploit mistakes and get ahead. That Blitzbok fighting spirit to come back has been an integral part of their Sevens identity and seems to be back.
The stage is set for #HSBCSVNSPER 🔥🇦🇺#HSBCSVNS pic.twitter.com/VM9kKyHHRd
— HSBC SVNS (@SVNSSeries) January 9, 2025
In Perth they have a relatively tough assignment, starting with the USA side that has been tricky in the past before taking on the hosts Australia in their second game.
As anyone following the series knows, the Aussies can be a handful and at home will be even tougher given the pressure to perform.
The final pool game against Argentina will also be a cliffhanger on Saturday morning as the Pumas are defending World Series champions and have shown they can beat any side at any time on the circuit.
Snyman knows the pressures that come with the team and how they need to back up the Cape Town result.
“The win in Cape Town just confirmed that our hard work paid off, that we have set a standard for ourselves to maintain now. We arrive here in Perth with exactly that in mind. To be at our best as that will bring results,” he said on arrival in Perth this week.
Zain Davids will reach his 5Oth HSBC SVNS tournament cap for the Blitzboks who have also welcomed the return of key trio Ryan Oosthuizen, Ronald Brown and Selvyn Davids. They replaced Mfundo Ndhlovu, Shaun Williams and Tristan Leyds, from the side that secured the home win.
But the proof will, as always, be on the field where there is no place to hide.
And the Blitzboks know they will need to bring their best.
Blitzbok fixtures
Friday
8:23am vs USA
1:52pm vs Australia
Saturday
7:50am vs Argentina.