Get Newsletter

'It hurts': BlitzBoks out to right the wrongs in Dubai

SPOTLIGHT: Wearing the mantle of defending champions and nine-time winners of the Dubai Sevens is one thing, but arriving at The Sevens Stadium bereft of top form, playing in a tough pool and with a number of new players, is something else.

ADVERTISEMENT

But according to Springbok Sevens captain Siviwe Soyizwapi, that narrative can be changed with a performance that the BlitzBoks – and their supporters – can identify themselves with.

The second tournament of the World Rugby Sevens Series kicks off on Friday, with the BlitzBoks playing Great Britain, Kenya and Australia in Pool A.

The BlitzBoks finished seventh in the first tournament, earlier this month in Hong Kong, and Soyizwapi is adamant that they are better than that.

“This tournament came nice and quick after the Hong Kong performance,” said Soyizwapi.

“We came back, talked about the shortcomings and then went about to fix those issues. We worked hard on those and the nice part of it was the fact that the new faces in the squad worked with us, so they have a good idea of what we want to achieve this weekend and how we need to go about things to be successful.

“We know we have not lived up to the standards, not only for ourselves, but our supporters as well, and believe me, it hurts. The nice thing is we get another chance to redeem ourselves.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Soyizwapi, who has won three Dubai Sevens titles in his four tournaments in the desert city, feels the squad are stronger for those misfortunes: “The camp in Stellenbosch went well and that gives me confidence. We are focussed on the areas we can control, and I think the squad is on the same page about our objectives for the weekend.”

For Muller du Plessis, this tournament also holds special memories. The BlitzBok flyer has two gold medals from two outings in Dubai, although in his last appearance a year ago, he sustained a leg injury that kept him out of action for close to six months.

“It is always a nice double, being able to play Dubai and then Cape Town, two of the favourite tournaments for most in the series,” said Du Plessis.

“I have good memories here and we are determined as a squad to make more memories. For me it will also be personal, leaving the system.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Du Plessis will join the Sharks in a few weeks’ time and will be keen to leave Dubai with some silverware and add to his tally of 63 tries for the BlitzBoks.

Join free

Yokohama Canon Eagles vs Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo | Japan Rugby League One 2024/25 | Full Match Replay

Edinburgh vs Glasgow | Celtic Challenge 2024/25 | Match Highlights

Boks Office | Episode 31 | Investec Champions Cup Review

Global Schools Challenge | Day 2 Replay

The Backyard Bunch | The USA's Belmont Shore

AUSTRALIA vs USA behind the scenes | HSBC SVNS Embedded | E04

South Africa v France | HSBC SVNS Cape Town 2024 | Men's Final Match Highlights

Two Sides - Behind the scenes with the British & Irish Lions in South Africa | E01

Write A Comment