Home pride on the line as Blitzboks look to inspire at Cape Town SVNS

Springbok Sevens head coach Philip Snyman feels that the new Sevens format makes it easier to introduce new players to the system early in the series, and expand the depth of the Blitzboks squad, after handing uncapped utility back Nabo Sokoyi a debut at the Cape Town SVNS this weekend.

The 23-year-old Sokoyi, who was born in Upington and schooled at Grey College in Bloemfontein, will take the place of Mfundo Ndhlovu in the only change to the squad that finished in fifth in Dubai a week ago.

The South Africans will look to strike form from the first match on Saturday at the DHL Stadium to defend their title successfully. They kick off against Fiji (12.44pm), before facing Dubai winners New Zealand (4pm). Their final pool clash on Saturday is against Great Britain (7.41pm).

Snyman admits it’s not always easy to maintain the balance in the squad while blooding young talent.

“It’s a difficult decision when it comes to getting the right combinations. I think one of our big goals for the year was to bring through new players with an eye on the 2028 Olympics, but in the same breath, we’ve said results are also important for us to get that balance right,” Snyman said.  

“I think this year what makes the series different is that in the first six tournaments there are only eight teams in the series, the top eight, and you just play for log points. Another four teams are added in the last three tournaments to determine the world series.

“In the first six is the time to give players the opportunity because the world series is not on the line then and it’s just the tournament on its own, and I think it’s a golden opportunity for the young man to come through to test the combinations and get experience. 

“In the same breath, I must say we did say we want to bring young players through but we won’t just give a guy a chance, he must earn it. And I think Nabo showed in the off-season that he’s earned it.  

“We also said to the players that it may be that we’ll make a change here and there from tournament to tournament to keep the players fresh and to give young players the opportunity, so that we know when we get to the last three tournaments, we can select our best team possible. I think that was the reason for the weekend, and I think Nabo will bring nice energy.”

The cut-throat nature of the new format was in evidence in last weekend’s season opener, where the Blitzboks finished fifth despite only losing two matches. Stalwart forward Zain Davids is hoping the backing of home fans will see them bounce back quickly, like they did last year.

“Obviously it was tough for us losing the first tournament in Dubai, but I think there’s going to be disappointment because we trained hard in preseason, the coach gave his all and the guys were 100% committed,” Davids said. 

“But I think now we’re back home, your family’s here, you have the support behind your back, and I think we just want to do our best to make ourselves proud and our families, and I think our country as well, because we know how important it is to make our country smile. 

“We have to be consistent in every tournament. We want to top our pool and I think we have to approach every game as a final. We had a hard look at ourselves and I think we’re all on the same page. Obviously we have culture meetings where we know what’s our on-field ID and I think we just have to live our team culture, then we will get the results.”