Blitzboks loving their structures
THE BLITZBOKS have started the 2016-17 World Sevens Series with a bang, winning two of the three tournaments to date and featuring in all three finals.
And with injuries eliminating players and others soon leaving for the 15-man code, members of the SA camp have had high praise for the way the team structures have allowed new players to integrate and prosper. After the South Africans walked off with the title in Wellington last week, wing Siviwe Soyizwapi and sweeper Rosko Specman were upbeat ahead of the next tournament this weekend, in Sydney.
Soyizwapi made his debut during the Hong Kong leg of the Series last year, and although he has been part of the Blitzbok set-up for some time now, the youngster hasn’t enjoyed a lot of game time due to the presence of World Sevens Player of the Year Seabelo Senatla. And as you can imagine, the former Southern Kings back is eager to show his worth, as Senatla will be playing in his last Sevens tournament this weekend before moving on to bolster the Stormers’ speed stocks.
“I am happy to run on to the field and get some game time,” said Soyizwapi.
“In terms of my progress, the system in the team is such that you can easily slot in and perform, providing that you stick to the structures. The coach always says that we need to trust the system and he was proved right many times.”
Soyizwapi, currently enjoying his third tour with the Blitzboks, has scored nine tries on the international Sevens circuit and, being a wing with a point to prove, he is keen to add to his tally.
“A winning team is a happy team and we are all in a good space. We are losing two big players (Senatla and Kwagga Smith) soon, but the next guy coming in will be able to fill any shoes, as the system will look after him,” Soyizwapi said.
Meanwhile, Specman is enjoying his off-the-bench responsibilities as a supersub.
Specman, who normally replaces Branco du Preez during the second half of matches, was impressive in Wellington last week as he scored a crucial try in the Blitzboks’ 26-5 win over Fiji in the final, just seconds after coming on.
“I don’t mind playing off the bench. In a way, I like the fact that we replace one unpredictable player with another as it puts pressure on the opponents,” said Specman, who will play in his 17th tournament and has scored 35 tries to date.
“I enjoy playing under pressure, as this brings out the best in me, so coming off the bench and performing is not a problem for me. There is a good vibe in the squad and we are keen to get the tournament under way.”
And while Soyizwapi, who has also featured as a travelling reserve for Neil Powell’s side has goals of making a try-scoring statement, another player will be looking forward to being part of the squad this weekend.
The Blitzboks will have a new travelling reserve in Stephan Dippenaar, after Sandile Ngcobo had to return to SA yesterday due to a family bereavement.
The Blitzboks should be high on confidence following their solid start to the current series after dominating in the opening leg in Dubai, claiming the Cup in New Zealand and finishing runners-up in Cape Town, but the team have maintained that they will be “starting over” in Australia.
The South Africans were potent on attack and have been
solid in defence since the Cape Town event, where they also had the upper hand at the breakdowns with quick and effective ground work.
Blitzbok squad for Sydney: Chris Dry, Philip Snyman, Dylan Sage, Kwagga Smith, Werner Kok, Siviwe Soyizwapi, Branco du Preez,Rosko Specman, Justin Geduld, Zain Davids, Seabelo Senatla, Ruhan Nel, Stephan Dippenaar