To success, Nel

UP IN THE AIR: Benni McCarthy, pictured here in his heyday playing for Blackburn Rovers, last week received his Uefa A License. The former Bafana Bafana striker now has eyes on a coaching career and hopes to manage Orlando Pirates one day. AFTER the Blitzboks’ stunning 26-5 victory over Fiji in the final of the Wellington leg of the World Sevens Series on Sunday, star speedster Seabelo Senatla said that the South Africans were “average players, not good players” as he credited all their glory to the commitment and brotherhood the team and support staff share.

Senatla made it clear that it was not only strenuous training sessions, team-building camps, gameplans and structures that make the Blitzboks a shining light in the somewhat currently dim South African rugby setting.

And yesterday Ruhan Nel, who made a massive impact off the bench in the final against the defending Series champions, added to the sentiment when he attributed their success to how well the entire squad worked together.

The wing scored twice in the second half of the Cup final.

“It is always pretty tense when you come on as a sub, as you want to contribute,” said Nel.

“There was four minutes left when I came on and to score two tries was pretty special. I need to thank my teammates for that though, as they were the ones putting me in space and creating the opportunity (for me) to score.

“It was a great feeling.”

Nel also emphasised the importance of all squad members functioning together.

“You don’t win tournaments like this with seven players only, we have to operate as a squad and I think we did that well,” added Nel.

“Everyone contributed when asked. We have a structure and if you stick to it, chances are good that you will be successful.”

The Springbok Sevens side next head to Sydney – the fourth stop of the Series – where they will be grouped with England, Kenya and Japan in Pool A.

And Branco du Preez, who surpassed Fabian Juries (925) in the all-time point-scoring stakes at the weekend with a tally of 951, also said that the win as a team was the most important thing this past weekend, and it will continue to be at the Allianz Stadium.

The sweeper is now second only behind injured teammate Cecil Afrika, who boasts a hefty 1 167 career points.

But Du Preez was adamant that the win at the weekend was all that mattered.

“It was good to be out there with the boys,” said Du Preez.

“We stuck to our structures and worked hard, so the rewards were nice. We went into the tournament with a plan, we executed it well and it worked, so it is pleasing to be successful at the end of it.”