PREVIEW: HSBC SVNS Series - Round Four
ROUND FOUR PREVIEW: The HSBC SVNS spotlight turns to Perth this week as the world’s best sevens sides arrive in Western Australia.
Expect the BlitzBoks to bounce back to a potential podium finish in Perth this weekend, where the fourth leg of the tightly contested 2026 HSBC SVNS takes place at HBF Park.
That is the view of BlitzBok head coach Philip Snyman, who was satisfied with their week’s preparation since arriving in Western Australia on Monday.
Snyman also decided to tweak the team, bringing in the uncapped Renaldo Young, with the dual-contracted Boland Cavaliers wing replacing Nabo Sokoyi in the tournament squad.
The BlitzBoks travelled with an extra player on this leg with the sole purpose of building squad depth, and Young is in line to become the third newly capped player this season.
Sokoyi made his debut in Cape Town and Luan Giliomee last weekend, with Young, nicknamed “Naledi”, getting his opportunity in Perth.
“Renaldo has been training very well since he joined us and did really well for the SA ‘A’-side in Dubai last year – I am excited to see what he can do,” Snyman said of Young, who turns 26 next month.
The BlitzBoks finished fourth in Singapore a week ago in a performance that left everyone unhappy, but Snyman said they have refocussed and are ready to go again.
“We freshened up nicely, thanks to good work done by our Strength and Conditioning coach, Ghafoer Luckan, and everyone is ready to go,” said Snyman.
“Apart from the bodies that were sore after a physical weekend in Singapore, we also made sure that everyone had a good look at the errors and shortcomings of that fourth-place finish.
“What was encouraging from those review sessions was that instead of finger pointing, there was ownership of mistakes made by all, players and coaches alike, and from that grew the desire to rectify and execute this weekend.”
The format of the World Series means the BlitzBoks will again face Spain and Fiji – tournament winners last weekend – in their pool, while Argentina also await with bruised egos, following their seventh-place finish in Singapore.
The BlitzBoks need to be clinical and use their opportunities to get past their foes and into the semifinals, Snyman said: “We had three different winners in the three tournaments played so far, which gives you an idea of how competitive the series is.
“Every match is literally a knock-out, and all eight teams can win a tournament.
“Spain would like to bounce back, Argentina would like to bounce back, and so do we, while Fiji is right at the top after their win, so it is going to be tight.”
After their reviews, expect a slight change in attitude and physicality from the BlitzBoks.
“We need to be a bit more aggressive, especially if we play against the bigger opponents,” said Snyman.
“It does come down to our own efforts, though. We can do the homework on our opponents and plan accordingly, but it always boils down to our own effort and how well we execute, and that will be the focus for the weekend.”
The preview continues below…
Australia’s women return to familiar turf, looking to defend their Perth crown and contend for the top spot on the SVNS league standings.
After three rounds of the HSBC SVNS Series, the race for the top spots is heating up.
In the women’s competition, New Zealand currently leads with 58 points with just a two-point advantage, but Australia will be looking to defend their Perth crown by clinching a win on home soil and putting on a show for the local fans.
Following their victory against France in Singapore’s final showdown last week, the Flying Fijians are aiming to continue their winning streak and maintain their position atop the men’s league standings just ahead of New Zealand.
Madison Ashby, captain of the Australian women’s team, said: “We love playing in Perth and the girls did a great job last year winning the title.
“Now we’re looking to go back-to-back. You can’t beat a home crowd, and we’re fortunate to be one of only a couple of nations to play on home soil each year.”
Henry Hutchison, captain of the Australian men’s team, added: “It’s nice to be back in Perth on home soil.
“We’re ready to put in a good performance in front of our local fans and family who are travelling from all parts of the country.
“We were pleased with how we played on the second day in Singapore and want to carry that momentum into this weekend.”
*See below for all women’s and men’s fixtures!
View this post on Instagram
Fixtures:
(Kick-off is local time – GMT plus eight hours)
Day One – February 7
Women’s
USA v Fiji (10.30)
New Zealand v Japan (10.52)
Canada v France (11.14)
Australia v Great Britain (11.36)
USA v Japan (15.36)
New Zealand v Fiji (15.58)
Canada v Great Britain (16.20)
Australia v France (16.42)
Fiji v Japan (18.52)
New Zealand v USA (19.14)
France v Great Britain (19.36)
Australia v Canada (19.58)
Men’s
South Africa v Spain (13.58)
Fiji v Argentina (14.20)
France v Great Britain (14.42)
New Zealand v Australia (15.04)
South Africa v Argentina (17.14)
Fiji v Spain (17.36)
New Zealand v Great Britain (17.58)
France v Australia (18.20)
Spain v Argentina (20.30)
Fiji v South Africa (20.52)
France v New Zealand (21.14)
Australia v Great Britain (21.36)
With additional reporting by SA Rugby & World Rugby
