Blitzboks have high hopes for London
GOING into the London leg of the World Sevens Series, things certainly are very different for the Blitzboks compared to previous seasons.
Over the last couple of years, the South Africans have made the trip to the UK aiming for top spot. This time, after a tough start to the season, they just want to make sure they remain in the top four, which will mean automatic qualification for the 2020 Olympic Games in Japan.
Neil Powell’s team won the 2016/17 series after being crowned champions at Twickenham, and last year – when the last two tournaments were swopped around – they sealed their double in Paris in stunning fashion.
Anticipation in the camp isn’t any less this time around though, according to flyer Muller du Plessis, who has had a rather tough season due to injuries. The 19-year-old had a top start to the season, scoring a hat-trick against Fiji in Dubai, but then got injured in SA’s opener in Cape Town a week later and missed the tournaments in Hamilton and Sydney. Du Plessis was named as travelling reserve for the tournament in Las Vegas, where he got some game time before a solid contribution in Vancouver, where the Blitzboks produced a stunning weekend to win the Canada Sevens for the first time. In his 13 matches at the time, he scored 10 tries.
His bad luck continued after he was named in the squad for the Hong Kong and Singapore events as he was withdrawn with a leg injury in the week before their departure.
So it’s easy to see just why the high school sprinter is so keen ahead of the penultimate tournament.
“There is a good feeling amongst the guys – we trained well, are in good spirits and a good space, and everyone is looking forward to the weekend,” said Du Plessis.
“Doing rehab instead of playing is never first option. It does give you time, though, to work on certain elements of your game and get the body strong again. I was itching to play and was ecstatic to hear that I was selected.”
The Blitzboks face Japan, Canada and Argentina in Pool A, and Du Plessis said he sees the competition in the squad as a positive.
“I play in a position where the competition is fierce,” he said. “Shakes (Siviwe Soyizwapi) has had an outstanding year so far, while Angelo (Davids) and Mfundo (Ndhlovu) also enjoyed good runs when they played.
“But the good thing is that we really push each other in training, which brings out the best in you. I was fortunate enough to make the team this time, so I will do my best not to disappoint the trust coach Neil showed. Also, playing for the guys in this squad... you cannot help but give your best, as you know they will be doing the same for you.
“I am healthy now and keen to go out and play, and that is the same across the squad. We are looking forward to this weekend.”