Springbok Sevens in Singapore start slow but ‘plenty to prove’ still

The Blitzboks got off to a slow start in Singapore – losing to Australia 19-0. “Not the best start, but plenty to prove still,” the team tweeted defiantly after the disappointing result.

And within hours, they were making up those points – beating Hong Kong China 31-12. “Every point will count”, said the Springbok Sevens.

The steps from Ndhlovu 🤌

…in slo-mo 😮‍💨#HSBC7s | #Singapore7s pic.twitter.com/H4j2uMGNCe

— HSBC SVNS (@SVNSSeries) April 8, 2023

Next up is New Zealand at 11h28 SA time.

The match against NZ, who edged the Blitzboks in Hong Kong last weekend, will be one of mindset and a sleight of hand: “They are obviously doing something right at the moment, hence their comfortable lead in the series, and we respect that. But we believe we can beat them and have a plan to put them in trouble when we play them.”

Eight tournaments into the 2023 World Rugby Sevens Series; five different winners on four continents; a congested log and for the Blitzboks, a roller coaster ride of results and performances have given their coach, Sandile Ngcobo, plenty to ponder as they head into Singapore for yet another weekend of unpredictability.

This time around, at the National Stadium and the Singapore Sevens, Ngcobo’s troops have arrived on the back of an encouraging performance in Hong Kong last weekend, but still without a podium finish in their last three outings.

And with a mad scramble to gain automatic qualification for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, the coach is acutely aware of the significance of the weekend. He is adamant though, that with a slightly altered approach to their playing style and tactics and a huge chunk of South African pride, they do enter Pool A with a slight swagger.

“It is wonderful for the tournament and the sport to see as many competitive matches and close results as we have on the circuit this year – it tells you how much rugby sevens has grown over the years and how professional it has become,” said Ngcobo.

“There are upsets – if you can still call them that – every single weekend and no team is spared that, as we have seen ourselves. You cannot afford to be off your game for any match, or you will pay the price.”

Ngcobo was expecting Australia to be a tough start to the day: “We respect their team as they have earned that. They have built a great squad over the years and developed a good culture that drives players to work hard, something we also try to install in our system.”

South Africa’s plan in the pool matches was to “make it personal, as it should be when playing Australia and New Zealand”. It didn’t work against Australia, but there’s still New Zealand…