Philip Snyman says the Blitzboks could not have asked for a tougher start to the new-look SVNS season.
The Blitzboks are talking the same talk in Dubai this week – and it’s all positive. Head coach Philip Snyman and senior players Impi Visser and Ryan Oosthuizen insist the squad has arrived in the UAE as prepared as possible for the revamped SVNS opener.
Snyman, an eight-time Dubai campaigner, says the real test now is delivering under pressure at The Sevens.
“I am very happy with our preparations,” he said. “Our pre-season went well and our training session with Great Britain here in Dubai was also very good. So, we are ready.
“Our confidence is good, but this new format is a different beast. You have to be on top of your game in every encounter – that’s the reality when the quality of your opposition is this high.”
IMPI: No excuses for Blitzboks
And the Blitzboks have been handed the toughest draw of the weekend. They face Olympic champions France, sevens giants Fiji and reigning SVNS league champions Argentina in Pool A.
“France are the Olympic gold medallists, Fiji are probably the most recognised sevens country in the world and Argentina have dominated the series over the last couple of years,” Snyman said. “We could not have asked for a tougher start.”
The Blitzboks have travelled with the most experienced squad in Dubai – the only team without an uncapped player – but Snyman knows reputations mean nothing once the whistle blows.
He also admitted that while Dubai is the immediate priority, next week’s home leg in Cape Town is firmly in mind.
“If we hit the ground running here and do well, we take huge momentum into Cape Town,” he said. “But first, we have to deal with France.”
Blitzboks squad: Christie Grobbelaar, Ryan Oosthuizen, Impi Visser (c), Zain Davids, Ricardo Duarttee, Ronald Brown, Selvyn Davids, Shilton van Wyk, Mfundo Ndhlovu, Donavan Don, David Brits, Zander Reynders, Tristan Leyds.
Blitzboks’ pool fixtures (Saturday, SA times):
vs France, 11:32am
vs Fiji, 2:16pm
vs Argentina, 6:34pm
Photo: Misha Jordaan/Gallo Images
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