After their disappointing day two in Hamilton, the Blitzboks have found themselves in a tough draw for this weekend’s Sydney Sevens as the HSBC World Sevens Series moves to its next stop.
While Argentina’s shock win in Hamilton has given them the top seeding, the Blitzboks’ sixth place finish means they were grouped with runners up New Zealand, as well as Kenya and the much-improved Uruguay for the Sydney showpiece.
Add to this the fact the Blitzboks have dropped from joint top spot before Hamilton to fourth in the overall standings and it will underline just what a massive task Sandile Ngcobo has in the rebuilding phase since taking over.
The team has lost not only former coach Neil Powell but stalwarts like Muller du Plessis and JC Pretorius and needs to find its feet quickly if it is to make an impact and stay in the race for the World Series title.
Currently the Blitzboks are only six points behind the All Blacks, who lead the overall log, with USA and Argentina above them in a group that is closely bunched after three rounds in the series.
There will also be a keen eye kept over playmaker Selvyn Davids, who returned just before Hamilton and is now struggling again with a groin strain. The Blitzboks will be hoping he returns to fitness before the weekend.
But fitness of Davids aside, the team defence system, normally a hallmark of Blitzboks teams, needs an overhaul, and was admitted as much after the tournament by Ngcobo.
“We have a team motto and culture and one of those are at least 80 per cent tackle completion, something we did not do today,” said Ngcobo.
“I think we were grabbing arms and not trying to get our shoulders on bodies, which resulted in some missed tackles, and we paid the price. We were not quite there today.
“When we lost the battle on the floor and contested poorly at the kick-offs, we placed ourselves under a lot of pressure. Those two areas are crucial in sevens and we did not do well in those two areas today.”
Ngcobo also wants the team to do more with the opportunities created.
“We are a fast team and when we play against teams who are physically bigger than us, it is crucial that we use that advantage,” he said.
“There is a plan for every opponent, but for that to work, one needs to execute when you have the opportunity. That did not happen today.
“It is going to be a short turnaround – we are playing on Friday already, so we will have three days to analyse and adjust where needed and then hit Sydney with a fresh effort.
“I saw enough positives here over the weekend to travel to Australia with confidence and I thought Jaiden Baron did well on debut. So although we are disappointed about the effort on Sunday, there is much anticipation to go again next weekend.”
The Blitzboks will find out their fixtures in the next 24 hours, but need to work on their own shortcomings before worrying about the opposite