Champion Boks will be better at home – Du Preez

first time in 10 years, in their first fixture on Friday.

But competition was a bit more stiff against Scotland in the Blitzboks’ second match, and although it was an encounter that the South Africans claimed 21-5, the Springbok Sevens men had to work hard to stop the Scots’ early momentum and to prevent them from building on a 5-0 halftime lead. And it was enough for the Blitzboks to get revenge for their defeat in the final of last year’s London leg to the very same team, where Scotland won a World Sevens tournament for the first time.

Against the US it was no easier for the Blitzboks.

But they held on until the end to secure a perfect start to the tournament.

“We didn’t have the easiest of pools, so we had to fight for what we wanted.

“At the end of the day we just trusted our processes and each player did his part, and we walked away with the trophy.”

“If one of us starts, then the other one knows it doesn’t stop there. It has to continue. We talk about a flag that has to be flown.

“If a guy comes off the bench then he knows he has to take over the flag and keep it high. It just has to go on,” Du Preez said.

Against New Zealand in the quarter-finals, the Blitzboks destroyed the Kiwis 40-0.

They not only kept them scoreless, but they also dominated the New Zealanders in every aspect; breakdowns, territory, possession, you name it ... an extremely impressive feat, given the fact that fixtures between the two sides are, more often than not, close.

And the outcome can seldom be predicted (in Sevens, that is).

But on Saturday, it was a completely one-sided affair.

“I think we were ready for the game – for all the games that we played on day two.

“On day one we didn’t have a great day, and on day two I think we were more confident in what our roles were on the field.

“When we played against New Zealand in the quarterfinal we knew exactly what we wanted to do and how to keep them out to not score tries.

“We have a good understanding between us and we know that we just need to do our job on the field.”

The gold medal-finish in Dubai was particularly sweet for Du Preez, who missed out on the Rio Olympics and the first two legs (Dubai and Cape Town) of the 2015/16 series due to injury.

“It feels good to be back on the field and to be able to contribute to the team. I know if I do my part on the field, everybody will do their part, and we will be one unit. Then we will be successful.

“Since the build-up I decided: ‘Okay, the Olympics is over, there’s another tournament coming up, and I’m blessed to get another opportunity to go out there and play with the team’. That was determination. I knew I could be better. The past isn’t going to keep me back. So, I just focus on what’s ahead of me. ”

This weekend the Blitzboks will look to continue their winning ways in the Mother City. And despite their impressive trip to Dubai, Du Preez believes that the team can still improve their game.

But he also believes that things can only go better in front of a home crowd.

“There’s that extra oomph we can give. To play in front of your own people is going to be even better. Dubai was a stepping stone, but it can only go better. Nobody’s perfect, so we can only get better with what we have already achieved.”