The Springbok Sevens team face one of their toughest tasks at a tournament that traditionally hasn’t been their best, in order to resurrect their season from disaster this weekend
The Blitzboks’ quest at the Hong Kong Sevens - the jewel in the HSBC Sevens Crown - couldn’t be more important and marks a watershed moment for the side that has struggled and disappointed this season.
Blitzboks games in Hong Kong (all times SA, CAT):
Friday
- 5.39am, vs Ireland
- 8.23am, vs Spain
Saturday
- 4.16am, vs Samoa
Other than still not qualifying for the Olympics - they face a repechage tournament for the final spot for Paris in May - the Blitzboks finished 11th in Los Angeles, their lowest finish in a number of seasons, prompting action from SA Rugby.
Sandile Ngcobo, the coach, was demoted to the Academy and assistant coach Phillip Snyman took over, with a mission to ensure the Blitzboks make the most of what is left of the season.
The #Blitzboks will travel to Hong Kong with their strongest available squad, with Grobbelaar, Brown, Human and Nortje back in the mix - more here: https://t.co/jNXmEq9NbI ⚡#PoweredByUnity @WeBuyCars_SA @McDonalds_SA pic.twitter.com/p28mKPxdaO
— Springbok Sevens (@Blitzboks) March 28, 2024
And the stakes could not be higher. The Dubai Sevens champions have had such a downhill run after the opening tournament of the season that they are in seventh spot on the standings.
That is significant because the top eight sides play in the season finale in Madrid next month while teams 9-12 have to go into a playoff tournament with the top teams from the second tier Challenger series to fight it out for places for next season’s World Series.
UNTHINKABLE
Falling to that level would be unthinkable for the Blitzboks, and catastrophic if their form had to mean they were relegated from the Sevens series as well. It would place the whole Sevens system in jeopardy.
So while they aren’t in crisis levels yet, the Hong Kong Sevens provides Snyman with the first chance to try and rectify the season and give the Blitzboks a fighting chance of turning the ship around.
But it won’t be easy. Snyman has been open about his hope to build consistency - something that has been lacking in the Blitzboks’ arsenal this season in their bid to become a top side again.
And Hong Kong traditionally has not been kind to them. Despite being in the World Cup final in 1997 - and twice more in the history of the tournament, it remains the one tournament they have not won on the World Series circuit.
MAKE THE QUARTERS
Yet perhaps talking of winning tournaments is premature, and consistency and the performance is needed first. In the last two tournaments the Blitzboks have failed to make the Cup quarterfinals after pool play - so that has to be the immediate goal.
From there their own performances will determine how far they can go and how much progress has been made. Snyman believes he will get a response after some heart-to-heart chats at their Stellenbosch base, but the proof remains in the pudding.
And there isn’t a bigger stage than Hong Kong to make a statement.
Blitzboks games in Hong Kong (all times SA, CAT):
Friday
- 5.39am, vs Ireland
- 8.23am, vs Spain
Saturday
- 4.16am, vs Samoa