Blitzboks ready to show their class
THERE were a number of things the Blitzboks could have done better in their first two efforts of the 2018/19 World Sevens Series.
After claiming back-to-back series titles, the level of expectation on the Springbok Sevens side was always going to be demanding. And the challenges Neil Powell and Co have had to deal with have undoubtedly made their tasks more challenging.
Last season, the Sevens group lost a number of experienced campaigners to Fifteens, and there has also been no shortage of injuries.
The influx of youngsters can certainly be seen, while there were also some uncharacteristic showings on defence and attack at times thanks to the transition.
It’s something coach Powell believes will go better when they face their next challenge in Hamilton, New Zealand on January 26.
“We were in a bit of denial in Cape Town and Dubai, thinking that we were fine. It is a different make-up in our squad and a different combination and the guys have to find each other on the field,” Powell said yesterday.
“If you look at the games that cost us, it was the New Zealand and Fiji games. The incidents that cost us were on set-phase defence.
“New Zealand scored two tries off line-outs. The same with Fiji. From two scrums they just ran through our defensive lines. It is something we have looked to improve. Sometimes it was senior players who made those mistakes.
“Those are things we looked at. There was a big step up from Dubai to Cape Town, and if we can make another step-up in performance, not results, then I will be happy as a coach.”
The Blitzboks have welcomed back a number of injury returnees.
Chris Dry will be back in the Blitzboks mix for the first time since sustaining an injury in Cape Town back in December 2017. He will take over from Ryan Oosthuizen for his 65th tournament appearance in Australasia.
Among the backs, Stedman Gans, who last played in London in June last year, will replace the injured Muller du Plessis, while Selvyn Davids, the 13th player in Cape Town, comes into the matchday squad for Rosko Specman – the latest Sevens man to switch over to the 15-man game (Bulls).
Philip Snyman will again lead the side after injury, while Justin Geduld and Werner Kok, who underwent minor surgeries for knee and facial injuries respectively, are also ready for the Australasia trip. Mfundo Ndhlovu and Cecil Afrika were not considered due to injury.
The New Zealand Sevens will take place on January 26 and 27 in the FMG Stadium in Waikato, while the Sydney Sevens tournament is scheduled for February 2 and 3 at Spotless Stadium.