Blitzboks gear up for Cape Town defence with fresh hunger and new faces

IS ANYONE else stunned by the fact that December is just a few weeks away? It seems like yesterday that we were preparing for the Festive Season 2024, and here we are almost in 2025 holiday mode.

But before you spend all your hard-earned cash on toys, trinkets and food, maybe you can treat yourself to a ticket to the rugby.

Yes, that's right, with just weeks to go before the HSBC SVNS Cape Town, three Blitzboks — Christie Grobbelaar, Donavan Don and newcomer Grant de Jager — are sharpening their form for what promises to be a defining home tournament. The event, taking place at DHL Stadium on December 6 and 7, will be the only South African stop on the global circuit, and the Blitzboks will return as defending world champions.

Grobbelaar eyes long-awaited home debut

For Christie Grobbelaar, 2025 could finally bring the Cape Town appearance he’s dreamed of. The 25-year-old from De Doorns has already won the HSBC SVNS world series, gold at the Commonwealth Games and bronze at the Olympics, but has never played at his home tournament.

“Coach mentioned that he wants to use me at tighthead as well this season, which is fine and something I should be OK with,” said Grobbelaar, who weighs 95kg and stands 1.95m tall. “As long as I can contribute to the team, I will be happy."

After an injury-limited 2025 season, he’s eager to contribute again. “I loved my time in Durban and the whole mission of going to the Sharks is to become a Springbok one day – I suppose that is any rugby player’s dream,” said Grobbelaar. “But for now, I am happy to be back with the Blitzboks and to give it my all. Now to get that Cape Town tournament cap, that will be something else.”

Returning to Stellenbosch after a stint with the Hollywoodbets Sharks, Grobbelaar joined the squad for the Forward Faster 7s Invitational, where he said, “It is good to be back with the guys. It’s been tough to slot back in, but I am sure I will be fine once we play some matches this weekend.”

Don relishes the pressure of the home crowd

Speedster Donavan Don, whose try helped spark South Africa’s 2024 home triumph, said he is eager to feel the DHL Stadium roar again.

“That was an amazing feeling, as it was the first time I played in Cape Town, and to be honest, the crowd was just something else,” he said at a ticket drive in Newlands. “We battled to hear our own teammates, such was the noise and encouragement from the crowd.”

Don, now an established starter, said playing for South African supporters carries a “huge responsibility.” He added: “To represent your country is massive and to play well for your supporters, especially such passionate ones as in Cape Town, is a huge responsibility, as you cannot disappoint them.”

The 23-year-old from Velddrif comes off a strong Currie Cup campaign with the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers, where he was the top try scorer. “We simply cannot take anything for granted as the Springbok Sevens,” he said. “Especially as we are the World Champions and will have a target on our backs.”

De Jager embracing hard work and new beginnings

For new recruit Grant de Jager, a 21-year-old from Barberton, joining the Blitzboks has been the fulfilment of a childhood dream. “I have a firm belief in hard work, and one thing I pride myself on is that I will always try and outwork everyone else on the field,” he said.

De Jager, who played for DHL Western Province at the Under-19 and Under-21 levels, said he learned early what drives this team: “That was the first thing that I picked up from the team since I joined, and that is their willingness to work harder and harder.”

He recalled being inspired by the Blitzboks’ Olympic campaign in 2016. “We were watching the Rugby Sevens tournament at the Olympic Games in Rio, and when our guys were on the podium, I told my mom that I want to represent them at the Olympics in future.”

Now part of the Blitzboks setup after winning the Rugby Africa Sevens with the SA Sevens ‘A’ team in Mauritius, De Jager is learning fast. “It is only when you play with these guys that you realise how good they are,” he said with a smile.

As the countdown to Cape Town continues, all three players are united by the same goal — to earn their place in the Blitzboks’ title defence before a home crowd.

(Source: SA Rugby)