Inspired BlitzBoks turn back clock
South Africa have revisited their biggest triumph in Sevens to inspire the team ahead of their Glasgow leg of the World Series at the weekend.
The BlitzBoks are out in front, but far from out of sight, as they continue their pursuit of a first World Sevens Series title in six years – when the penultimate leg of this season's edition takes place at the Scotstoun stadium on Saturday and Sunday.
A good performance in Glasgow will not only ensure that SA stay in the hunt for the coveted World Series title, it would also clinch their spot as one of the four automatic qualifiers for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.
Just 12 points separate the leading three teams with just the Glasgow and London legs still to play.
South Africa top the standings with 129 points, with Fiji (125) and New Zealand (120) close behind. Australia are currently fifth, nine points behind England (100), but 20 clear of the sixth-placed United States.
The BlitzBoks and the All Blacks will meet in the pool phase on Saturday – when England, fresh from beating South Africa in the Final of the Tokyo, face top four rivals Australia.
South Africa – back in Glasgow where they experienced one of their greatest achievements by clinching the gold medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games – have shown impressive consistency this season, finishing in the top three of at six of the seven rounds, winning twice, and finishing fourth once.
Springbok Sevens coach Neil Powell said his team would draw inspiration from the triumph at the Ibrox Stadium.
"We showed the guys video clips of our successful Commonwealth Games campaign and I hope it will inspire and lift the squad for this coming weekend," explained Powell.
The coach said although his team currently holds a slender lead on top of the standings, they are under no illusions about the massive task that awaits them on the opening day's play on Saturday.
BlitzBok captain Kyle Brown and his teammates have been drawn in a difficult pool, which includes defending World Series champions New Zealand, and the powerful combination of Samoa and fellow African outfit Kenya.
With only the top two sides in the pool rounds qualifying for the Cup knockout stages, Powell said his charges need no reminder about the importance of a solid showing on Saturday.
"We will approach each match as a knock-out fixture because there is so much at stake," said the coach.
"A slip-up in the pools stages can set you back on the log table because the competition is so fierce at the top.
"We have a fit and competitive squad and the boys are determined to play to their full potential in the last two tournaments."
