Blitzboks must find consistency, Ngcobo says after Canada slump

The Springbok Sevens’ ninthplace finish in Canada, at the fourth HSBC SVNS tournament of the season, was frustrating, coach Sandile Ngcobo said.

The lack of consistency will be at the top of the agenda this week as they prepare for their next assignment in Los Angeles this weekend.

The Blitzboks left Vancouver with an impressive 24-7 win over Australia to claim the ninth place, but for Ngcobo it was too little too late.

“We finished the best way possible,” he said.

“We asked the players to leave a statement and that is what they did.

“This was a very good win over Australia and that reflects more on our abilities.”

The Blitzboks started the tournament with a victory over New Zealand, who eventually lost in the final to Argentina, but then lost twice in a row to not only finish last in the pool but also miss the quarterfinals.

“We need to be more consistent, that is a fact — we cannot arrive at games not mentally ready. The positive finish in our last two games, beating Canada and Australia, showed what can be done,” Ngcobo said.

“We can put any team away; we have the individuals and the culture to put it together, but we are not consistent.”

The coach said their focus will shift for the US leg.

“The mental side of the game is the issue and we will address that.”

The Blitzboks were drawn in Pool A when the HSBC SVNS Los Angeles takes place from Friday to Sunday.

They again face Ireland, who pipped them in Vancouver, series leaders and Canada champions Argentina, and Spain in other pool matches.

The Blitzboks’ worst finish of the season saw them drop to sixth the standings after four tournaments.

The current top eight sides, who will retain core status for next year’s series, are: 1 Argentina, 78 points; 2 Ireland, 54; 3 Fiji, 54; 4 NZ, 50; 5 Australia, 47; 6 SA, 46; 7 France, 36; and 8 the US, 30.

Argentina reinforced their position as the top men’s team in the world by claiming their third straight title, beating New Zealand with a hat-trick for Matias Osadczuk in the final.

The draw for Los Angeles has Argentina with Ireland, SA and Spain in Pool A.

Hosts US are in Pool B with reigning series champions New Zealand, Australia and Samoa.

Vancouver bronze medallists France are in Pool C with double Olympic champions Fiji, Great Britain and Canada.

New Zealand are in the women’s Pool A alongside Fiji, Brazil and SA. Current leaders Australia are drawn with France, Ireland and Japan.

Pool C sees hosts US with rivals Canada, Spain and Great Britain. —