In addition to possession issues, the Blitzboks struggled defensively, with missed one-on-one tackles leading directly to tries for their opponents.
THE BLITZBOKS endured a challenging weekend at the Emirates Dubai Sevens, finishing in sixth place after two tough losses on Sunday to New Zealand and France. Head coach Philip Snyman didn’t mince words when assessing his team’s performance, highlighting poor ball control and ineffective defensive efforts as key areas of concern.
Speaking after the tournament, Snyman lamented the team’s inability to secure and retain possession. “We gave away so much possession; it is almost unreal,” he said. “We were the team with the least possession all tournament, and to then also give the ball away when we had it is even more unacceptable.”
The Blitzboks’ struggles with restarts further compounded their woes, consistently returning possession to their opponents. “There is no excuse for that. You just have to catch the ball,” Snyman added, calling it a basic yet critical area for improvement.
In addition to possession issues, the Blitzboks struggled defensively, with missed one-on-one tackles leading directly to tries for their opponents. “We had a poor weekend in those three areas, but all of that can be improved on,” said Snyman.
Despite the disappointment, Snyman remains optimistic about the Blitzboks’ chances at the upcoming HSBC SVNS Cape Town tournament at DHL Stadium. With no margin for error in the revamped format, South Africa will need to win their pool to progress to the semi-finals.
The Blitzboks are in Pool C alongside Argentina and Ireland, and Snyman is confident his squad can rise to the challenge. “We are a squad that doesn’t mind putting our heads down and working hard. That is something we will improve on,” he assured fans.
One silver lining from Dubai was the standout performance of Donavan Don, whose efforts impressed Snyman and raised his case for selection in Cape Town. The coach also revealed that additional players will join training this week to create a highly competitive environment before the final squad is named on Thursday.
The Cape Town format demands perfection, as only the pool winners will advance to the semifinals. South Africa’s Pool C rivals, Argentina and Ireland, promise to test the Blitzboks’ resolve.
Cape Town Sevens pools:
Pool A: Fiji, Great Britain, Uruguay
Pool B: Spain, Australia, Kenya
Pool C: South Africa, Argentina, Ireland
Pool D: New Zealand, France, USA
Kimberley fans, who can make the trip to the Cape, can rally behind the Blitzboks at DHL Stadium with tickets starting at R250, available through Ticketmaster.
As the Blitzboks regroup and refocus, the home crowd’s energy could be the X-factor they need to deliver a stronger performance and secure a triumphant comeback on home soil.
