Blitzbokke seeking Sevens redemption
REMEMBER Wellington last year? Well, that was the final the Blitzbokke controversially lost to New Zealand which was the catalyst to their Sevens World Series meltdown that ultimately cost them the championship.
New Zealand burgled a victory from the jaws of defeat with a last gasp try with referee and New Zealander Matt O’Brien’s officiating coming under the spotlight after he awarded the hosts nine penalties opposed to the one for the South Africans.
O’Brien allegedly apologised to the Blitzbokke coach Neil Powell in the aftermath of the defeat even though World Rugby denied this happened.
This week, the Blitzbokke will return to the capital of the Land of the Long White Cloud with no ill feelings about what transpired a year ago but with a mission to entrench themselves as the leading team in the series, according to Blitzbokke captain Philip Snyman.
Snyman was part of the team which was denied a maiden win in the backyard of the old foe and as painful as that moment was in his Sevens career, it is one that doesn’t haunt him and should remain in the past.
“I can still remember it but I don’t have sleepless nights because I know that this year we are going to change it around,” said Snyman.
“We lost it in the dying seconds against New Zealand so hopefully this year we can do it.
“Our big aim is to win the world series and also to get the next generation of Sevens players coming through.
“I think this is a good opportunity for us as there are some youngsters in the squad who will make their debut and will put up their hands.”
The Blitzbokke will be without former leader Kyle Brown who has been ruled out for the remainder of the season because of a knee injury suffered in Cape Town while leading points’ scorer for the team Cecil Afrika will miss the Wellington and Sydney legs, also because of a knee injury, sustained at training this year.
Junior Springbok flank Zain Davids will make his Sevens debut in Wellington while speedster Siviwe Soyizwaphi will finally get an extended run in the side to bring him up to speed before Seabelo Senatla’s departure from the side to join the Stormers in Super Rugby after Sydney.
Along with Senatla, Kwagga Smith will also be leaving the Sevens set-up to join the Lions Super Rugby squad leaving the team very thin on experience.
Snyman, however, is optimistic that they can plug the gaps although that will depend on how everyone in the side steps up to the plate.
“It will be the last two tournaments for them (Senatla and Smith) with us and I am certain that their hearts are fully committed to this team and they will give their everything.
“They will be ready to die on the pitch if they have to for this team.
“It is a massive honour and privilege to play alongside two of the best players in the world. Yes we are going to miss them but for now we will enjoy the moments of playing alongside them.
“This is also an opportunity for youngsters to put up their hands but this is not only for the debutantes but also for the senior players to fulfill their leadership roles in the team.
“I think they are up for that because they have grown so much in the past few years and they are ready to take that job,” Snyman said during their twoday camp in Johannesburg this week.
The Blitzbokke will kick-off their Wellington tournament with a tricky fixture against Japan next Saturday (1.09am SA time) before facing tough challenges against Australia (4.33am) and Fiji (8.18am).