What time are the Blitzboks in action this weekend?
Today at 05:29 AM
As a new World Rugby Sevens series gets set to kick off, the word from the Blitzboks camp is that they are very clear on their objectives for the new season “and the knowledge that teamwork and work ethic will be non-negotiable”.
"We had a good chat amongst ourselves on how to reach those goals," said Impi Visser, who will be running out in his 40th Sevens tournament this weekend, and who is one of the drivers towards excellence and a healthy and dynamic team culture.
"Apart from winning on the field, we also want to be good people off it as well. It remains a massive honour to be part of this team, but that bring responsibilities, and we don't want to disrespect those."
Unfortunately for the Blitzboks, they have been dealt a late blow with the withdrawal of Ronald Brown, who picked up a hamstring strain last Friday, with Shaun Williams stepping into the role as sweeper.
On a more positive note, Dubai is like a home away from home for the Blitzboks, who will be looking for a sixth straight tournament win in the UAE.
"We lost a bit of what we stand for as a team last season and once the results reflected that, we realised we were on the wrong path," Visser added. "I am happy to say, as the results in the repechage tournament and at the Paris Olympics showed, we found our way again. It is a happy squad now."
So when will the Blitzboks be in action?
Pool A fixtures, Saturday 30 November (SA times):
08h50: SA v Australia
12h58: SA v Kenya
18h44: SA v France
Updated Springbok Sevens squad for Dubai (with HSBC SVNS stats):
#1 Christie Grobbelaar – 21 tournaments, 160 points (32 tries)
#2 Ryan Oosthuizen – 50 tournaments, 225 points (45 tries)
#3 Impi Visser (co-captain) – 39 tournaments, 205 points (41 tries)
#4 Zain Davids (co-captain) – 47 tournaments, 210 points (42 tries)
#5 Ricardo Duarttee – 12 tournaments, 216 points (15 tries, 69 conversions, 1 penalty goal)
#9 Shaun Williams – 17 tournaments, 157 points (25 tries, 16 conversions)
#10 Dewald Human – 26 tournaments, 289 points (25 tries, 82 conversions)
#11 Siviwe Soyizwapi – 53 tournaments, 780 points (152 tries)
#12 Shilton van Wyk – 20 tournaments, 185 points (37 tries)
#14 Quewin Nortje – 6 tournaments, 90 points (18 tries)
#15 Donovan Don – 3 tournaments, 15 points (3 tries)
#19 David Brits – 3 tournaments, 20 points (4 tries)
#24 Tristan Leyds – 5 tournaments, 69 points (9 tries, 12 conversions)
How do you think the Springbok Sevens side will do this season?
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