Selvyn’s in Sevens heaven
Sevens star Selvyn Davids has dreams of becoming a Springbok but he is not prepared to go through nightmare scenarios to get there.
Davids has been one of the Blitzboks’ leading lights in their quite splendid run of victories.
Last week they won their sixth consecutive tournament and in the process stretched their unbeaten run to 34 matches.
Davids with 111 points in this campaign is the Blitzboks’ top scorer and stand-out performer and naturally he will face questions about his aspirations in the 15-man game.
“Like any player I think the dream is to play for the Springboks. At the moment I am happy where I am.”
For him it is far more important to be on the field doing what he loves than holding onto tackle bags, and possibly a dream.
Game time non-negotiable
Explained Davids: “I’m not one of those players who would be happy just to hold tackle bags at practice at 15s if I know I can get playing opportunity at Sevens.
“If I had to play 15s I’d choose a team that suits my style of play. I like running, especially where the ball is loose and a place where I will get playing opportunity.”
It isn’t just their results that have made the Blitzboks one of the country’s most popular teams. It is their selfless, high octane brand of rugby in which they harass and hurry the opposition that has resonated with their supporters. What helps is that the diverse team does everything with a smile.
Davids said he fell in love with the format when he joined the Blitzboks. It is there that he walked into the embrace of a culture of acceptance.
“When I joined the set-up Cecil (Afrika), Justin (Geduld), Philip (Snyman), Branco (du Preez) and Kyle (Brown) were all there. I was made to feel at home immediately. As if I’d been there for a long time. That still happens with the new players that join the ranks.”
The 27-year-old has keenly felt a kinship and brotherhood.
“It’s not about yourself,” he said about the team’s ethos. “Every second we are on the field we feel that we are doing it for the person next to us. To make that person look better than you and then he does the same and so on. The team will obviously benefit from that.
“It starts with practice. We practice probably two, three times harder than what we encounter in the game. Because we are the lightest team on the circuit it is something we work on very hard. Our endurance helps us.”
Powell leaves a legacy
What also helps set them apart is departing coach Neil Powell’s nous and his nose for what will happen if they drift from script. Powell will join the Sharks’ coaching team and Davids expects his building blocks to remain intact.
“If most of what we have remains, that will be the best. Most of the players will probably remain for next year. To do what the players are used to will probably benefit the team.”
The fact that they achieved their recent success without New Zealand among the starters does not bother Davids. “There is nothing we can do about that. I really look forward to playing against them again. Everyone wants to measure themselves against the best. It doesn’t change anything that we have had this success.”