JOHANNESBURG — The standings after three rounds of the World Sevens Series looks a bit better for South Africa, who have moved into the top 4. They were in 5th place after the second round in Cape Town, which could have had a psychological impact as the top 4 at the end of the season automatically qualify for the 2020 Olympic Games. After having been back-to-back champions in the past two seasons, it would have been somewhat humiliating having to go through a qualification process for the Olympics. The Blitzboks, compared with last season, are still not firing properly. Sixth in Dubai, third in Cape Town and fourth in Hamilton have left them ten points adrift of New Zealand, and 13 points behind Fiji and the USA (yep, you read that right – the USA). In their last appearance, the Blitzboks came through their group stage with ease, beating Scotland, Kenya and France. They survived a tough quarterfinal against Samoa, but weren’t anywhere near as competitive as they would like to be against Fiji in the semifinal (7-29) or in the bronze medal match against New Zealand (also 7-29). Captain Philip Snyman is under no illusions about where things went wrong, saying quite bluntly “it was one of our worst performances in a while”. – David O’Sullivan
From SA Rugby
The introspection was done, mistakes are being fixed and the good feeling of a couple of intense training sessions are starting to fill the Blitzboks’ veins with confidence, determination and attitude as they prepare for the HSBC Sydney Sevens, the fourth instalment of 10 tournaments in the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.Â
Springbok Sevens captain Philip Snyman knows his team very well and how they respond when backed into a corner. And he likes what he is seeing in response to their fourth place finish in Hamilton last weekend.
Due to the lofty standards set by the current World Series champions, even a fourth place is frowned upon by all involved and Snyman said the players want to get back to the top of the podium.
“Each and every player in the team had a look at themselves and realised that it was not our best effort last weekend, especially on defence,” Snyman said.
“Personally, I thought it was one of our worst performances in a while.”
Statistics back up what Snyman said on the defensive problems in Hamilton, with South Africa in the bottom third for completed tackles, with a mere 62% successful hits.
Snyman said they will rebound: “We are a young team and lessons were learned. We had a look at the videos of our matches and it was not pretty at times. We had a solid defence session earlier on Wednesday and it felt good, so clearly the guys adapted from what we missed out on last weekend.”
The Blitzboks walk into the crossfire on Saturday morning (SA time), when the tournament starts at Spotless Stadium at Sydney’s Olympic Park. They face Tonga, Argentina and Australia in a tough Pool D.
“Yes, it is a very tough pool, so we need to be sharp from the first minute to the last,” said Snyman.
“The Tongans are very physical and the Argentineans never stop playing. Australia are not only hosting the tournament, but they are also defending champions. We need to play at our best.”Â
The top four finish in Hamilton points to some good things as well and Snyman said those will be sharpened even further: “We did some good things in Hamilton and we need to keep up that standard.
This will be a nice challenge to us this weekend, but I know the team have the character to respond in a positive and competitive way.”
Justin Geduld is not a two-time HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series winner for nothing. The 25-year-old flyhalf was hugely instrumental in the Springbok Sevens team’s successes in the last two seasons and after 39 tournaments and 200 matches for the Blitzboks, the desire still burns strong for the Cape Town-born playmaker.
Geduld, who was in doubt for this trip after knee surgery in December, is confident that the Blitzboks will bounce back and land on their feet after a slower than usual start to the series.
“We have been in situations like this before and we have responded,” said Geduld, who has scored 872 points (89 tries, 212 conversions and a penalty goal) in his 200 appearances.
“We are still a good team and the talent is there to deliver winning results. As soon as that jersey goes over your head, the desire to represent your country and to play for the guy next to you is there. To do your best is a given.”
Springbok Sevens assistant coach Renfred Dazel said defence was the key element in their preparations for the weekend, where they face Tonga, Argentina and Australia in Pool D.
“We knew and realised losing the likes of Dylan (Sage), Kwagga (Smith), Seabelo (Senatla) and Ruhan (Nel) would have an impact, but that is not an excuse for our performances so far this series,” said Dazel.
“We needed to do better in certain areas and worked hard to improve, something I feel we are doing.”
Dazel feels the knock-out punch of the past is lacking, but is still part of the team’s arsenal: “Putting teams away in the last two, three minutes is something we will have to do better, no doubt. The previous squad did that and we need to improve on that.
“There is progress, as the players are improving and picking up more experience and confidence. Guys such as Dewald (Human) and Zain (Davids) are now starting for the first time and Stedman (Gans) and Justin are back from injury, so we are getting better by the minute.”
Sources:Â http://www.sarugby.co.za/article.aspx?category=sarugby/sevens&id=4467284Â &Â http://www.sarugby.co.za/article.aspx?category=sarugby/sevens&id=4466494
