Good to see the Blitzboks have got their mojo back

THE Blitzboks are back in the business of putting smiles on South African faces after winning the Dubai Sevens at the weekend, the fourth occasion in a row they have won this leg of the World Rugby Sevens Series.

Dubai truly has been a happy hunting ground for the Blitzboks and it is perhaps no coincidence that the desert playground has played host to a turnaround in fortunes for the Blitzboks after a lean run on the world circuit.

At the beginning of this year, the Bliltzboks hit the ground running only to lose their spark a few tournaments ago.

This was not long before long-standing coach Neil Powell was to finish his successful tenure, and there was a very disappointing showing in the Sevens World Cup in Cape Town.

Powell departed to take up the position of director of rugby at the Sharks and new coach Sandile Ngcobo inherited a team short on mojo and playing way below the standards that made the team so successful and the darlings of South African sport.

Everybody loves the Blitzboks because they play with unbridled passion and energy and it was curious to see them go off the boil.

And that is why sport fans breathed a sigh of relief when the Blitzboks of old turned up in Dubai and blasted the opposition off the park. They were in good form from the first match of day one and in the final they smashed Ireland 21-5.

It was heartwarming to see the emotional reaction from Ngcobo after he had registered his first success since taking over from Powell. “I actually have no words,” the exuberant coach said.

The timing of the Blitzboks’ resurgence could not be better because this week the World Series moves to Cape Town and with the home team now level with Australia at the top of the series’ standings, they have a great opportunity to break clear at the top.

We congratulate the Blitzboks on their success in Dubai and we wish them a happy homecoming this weekend in Cape Town.