Coach Philip Snyman says the Blitzboks’ focus is on building towards the next Olympic Games rather than simply protecting their SVNS crown.
World Rugby recently confirmed the dates and venues for the 2025-26 circuit, which includes a return to Cape Town on 6-7 December. The Blitzboks will be out to defend their title, where they triumphed last year on their way to lifting the overall championship in Los Angeles.
“The new dates and venues fit nicely with our planning,” said Snyman. “We have two more training blocks before the roster is confirmed. Cape Town remains the best tournament for us, and doing well at home is a massive objective for coaches and players alike.”
Snyman, who has won Olympic bronze as both a player (2016) and coach (2024), says the next four years are all about preparing for Los Angeles 2028.
“We are looking at another season where we’ll combine some of our best junior players and emerging stars from the Varsity Cup with our experienced core. The aim is to grow a system we can all be proud of,” he explained.
That pathway has already produced success stories such as Gino Cupido – a double world champion with the Junior Boks and Blitzboks – and Snyman expects Siyabonga Ndlozi and Joel Leotlela to step up this season. Rowan Malgas and Grant de Jager have also earned contracts after impressing via Varsity Cup opportunities.
Snyman added that players involved in the Currie Cup will be reintegrated when available, with Christie Grobbelaar set to rejoin the squad from the Sharks on 1 November.
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The new season will feature eight men’s and eight women’s teams in the first six tournaments before expanding for the playoffs.
Argentina, Australia, Fiji, France, Great Britain, New Zealand and Spain will join the Blitzboks in Cape Town, while the women’s line-up includes Australia, Canada, Fiji, France, Great Britain, Japan, New Zealand and the USA.
2025-26 SVNS tournaments:
29-30 November: Dubai
6-7 December: Cape Town
31 January – 1 February: Singapore
7-8 February: Australia (venue TBC)
7-8 March: Vancouver
14-15 March: USA (venue TBC)
17-19 April: Hong Kong
29-31 May: Valladolid
5-7 June: Bordeaux
Photo: David van der Sandt/Gallo Images
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