Blitzboks want to lay Cape ghosts to rest

12/03/2024 09:38 AM

Blitzboks ace Dewald Human says he is ready and raring to go in front of their faithful home supporters in Cape Town this weekend.

Human has won eight world series tournaments around the world representing the Blitzboks, but nothing would please him more than a victory on home soil, something "Japie", as he is known to his teammates, feels is possible this weekend at the Cape Town Stadium. 

The 29-year-old playmaker has played in 27 sevens tournaments in a career full of highlights, but for Human, a win in Cape Town, in front of the Blitzboks' faithful, will be the icing on the cake.

"I know people might look at the Dubai results from last weekend and think we have no chance to win for the first time since 2015 and that is fair," said Human.

"We did make unforced errors in Dubai, but that was not how it was supposed to happen and something we can rectify.

"For me, the fact that we did not win in Dubai could be a blessing in disguise. For the last five times we came to Cape Town having won in Dubai, and that added to the already big pressure that you find for the hosting nation. The expectations have just become so much over the years."

BLITZBOKS KEEN TO LAY CAPE GHOSTS TO REST

Human has captained the Blitzboks in Hong Kong before and he understands pressure, but this time it is different.

"The pressure is not coming with us from Dubai, so we can focus squarely on getting the job done at home. We have not used the amazing support we get from this Cape Town crowd to our benefit and will be looking to change that this year."

It will be Human’s third appearance at Cape Town Stadium.

"In 2019, in my first year playing in Cape Town, we lost to Fiji in the semis and last year we got knocked out in the quarters, but still the crowd stayed on our side," he said.

"This year, the squad is younger with some rebuilding taking place, but what I can tell all the supporters is that this team have that drive and desire be make everyone proud and to bring honour to the jersey. 

"This Blitzbok team will never surrender, there are real fighters in this squad, from coach Philip to the least experienced players. We are all determined to do well this weekend, and I believe it will show."

The Blitzboks will face Ireland and Argentina in their group and Human feels the new format will create new pressure on each team.

"But unlike the other sides, we have this great crowd to lift us when we are under pressure," he said. "We would love nothing more to see people coming out to support us this weekend and if we can reward them with a win, so much better."

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