BlitzBokke aim to be clinical in Vegas

 

The United States event kicks off Saturday and is spread over three days. Playmaker Cecil Afrika, a former World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year, will play in his 35th Sevens World Series tournament.

 

South Africa are the defending Cup champions and have won the title on three previous occasions –  2014, 2013 and 2011 – and will thus be aiming for their third title win in a row on their favourite hunting ground.

 

Last weekend the Springbok Sevens finished third in Wellington after going down to France in their first pool match and losing to eventual winners New Zealand in the semifinals.

 

Despite these setbacks, the South Africans managed to hold onto their first place on the Series log. However, NZ managed to cut their lead to just seven points.

 

They won the Dubai and Port Elizabeth tournaments last December but unforced errors and unusual missed tackles characterised their Wellington showing.

 

Wing Seabelo Senatla, crowned the 2014 SA Sevens Player of the Year last weekend, emphasised the need for the Blitzboks to get the basics right in Las Vegas.

 

“We spoke hard during the week and also worked extremely hard to try and identify and then correct the mistakes we made in Wellington. We are not pleased with that third place because we did not play to our full potential,” explained Senatla.

 

The speedster is the Series’ top try scorer so far with 24 tries after four rounds and he will no doubt be a marked man again. According to Senatla he does not mind who score the tries, as long as his team is on the winning side.

 

“I know the teams will be looking to close me down much quicker, but that is part of the game and I am not too worried about it.

 

"My main job will be to perform my duties and to contribute towards a successful team effort,” said Senatla who celebrated his 22nd birthday a few days ago.

 

South Africa face Portugal, Japan and hosts USA during the pool stages.