Time for fans and Blitzbokke to rock

THE challenge for the Port Elizabeth leg of the IRB World Sevens Series rugby competition at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium this weekend will be two-fold.

On the field, the Blitzbokke will need to bounce back from the dark memories of Dubai a week ago where they failed to impress on the opening day and were relegated ignominiously to the bottom eight playoffs.

Off the field, the Eastern Province rugby fraternity will need to reaffirm the success of the event by packing the stadium over the two days.

The theme of the PE leg is “rugby’s biggest party”, an appropriate take on a format of rugby which is fast-paced and exciting, and where the sideshows also offer plenty of entertainment.

In PE’s debut IRB Series leg last year, after a quietish opening day, the stadium came alive on the Saturday and generated favourable comments about the suitability of the facilities and the atmosphere at the stadium.

The general view is that sevens rugby takes some time to seep into the rugby public’s consciousness and the first year is always one which tests the waters.

Having passed the test, rugby fans in the region now need to show continued support for both the event and the Blitzbokke.

Paul Treu’s men have been hit by injuries and they are lacking several experienced players. But that only creates an opportunity for talented youngsters to lay down a marker and there is nothing like enthusiastic backing from a big home crowd to get the adrenalin racing.

Treu has already alluded to this and hopefully the Blitzbokke can spread the joy this weekend.

Whatever the support, the competition will be fast and furious. Inclusion in the 2016 Olympics has raised the profile of the game and as the Blitzbokke discovered against Portugal last weekend, the minnows are beginning to show that that status is no longer appropriate.

So the intensity will be high. But for both the Blitzbokke and the fans, it is time to rock.