LISTEN: BlitzBoks to rectify Perth mishaps says Leyds

02/19/2025 02:41 AM

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Playmaker Tristan Leyds returns to the BlitzBoks squad with full intent of producing the best rugby at the Vancouver SVNS this weekend.

The 27-year-old Leyds missed out of the previous tournament in Perth due to injury.

The BlitzBoks concluded the Perth in fourth place after a shock 7-14 defeat to Spain in the third-placed play-off.

"It is never nice to miss out on a tournament," said Leyds after the Blitzboks arrived in Vancouver for the weekend's tournament, the fourth of the 2025 World Series.

"We had one or two small mishaps in Perth when we lost concentration at crucial times.

"But we worked on those and will be ready in Vancouver."

*Article continues below...

Leyds said the competition for spots has enhanced the team.

"The competition in the squad is great and that helps a lot to keep up on our toes.

"There are guys back home that are working hard to get a chance and those here need to make the most of this opportunity.

"That also creates a nice team environment, as everybody wants the team to be the best it can be."

Leyds complimented the team culture and said it is great to be part of the Blitzbok set-up.

"That is a general feeling amongst the players, we are really a close group of guys who want to do the best for the team," he said. "Hopefully we can deliver the good for all our supporters and the people back home."

Meanwhile, it is almost a case of second chances for wing Sebastiaan Jobb, and he is determined to make the second stint in his HSBC SVNS career more memorable than the first, all of two years ago.

The 25-year-old former Junior Springbok suffered a range of injuries over the last 24 months after making his debut for the Blitzboks in 2023 and this time around, Jobb hopes to put a real mark on it.

"It was close to two years, but now I am getting ready to embrace this second chance," said Jobb.

"I was frustrated at times, as it felt that I was never going to give myself that opportunity to play for the team again. It took so long, hence I cannot wait, to be honest."

Jobb feels fit and fast again and is keen to contribute to the team he so dearly loves to represent.

"I was desperate to get back, as those two tournaments were not how I wanted to remember my contribution towards the Blitzbok jersey," the former Vodacom Bulls age-group player said.

"This time around I want to make the best of the opportunity. The team expect of me to score tries and I have my eye on a couple of those

"We really want to leave the jersey in a better place and I have this opportunity now to work towards that."