The Springbok Sevens team, affectionately known as the Blitzboks, are set to make a powerful statement at the HSBC SVNS Grand Final in Madrid this weekend.
With the tournament taking place at Civitas Metropolitano Stadium from May 31 to June 2, the Blitzboks are determined to reignite their winning form and secure a triumphant finish to the 2024 series.
Interim head coach Philip Snyman emphasized the importance of achieving victory in all matches, both in Madrid and in the upcoming Olympic repechage tournament in Monaco next month.
“To win here in Madrid and become the Grand Final champion, you need to win all of your matches – it’s as simple as that,” Snyman stated. “In a month’s time, in order for us to get the ticket to the Paris Olympics, you need to win all your matches. So where better to get into that mindset than here?”
Snyman believes that key elements of the Blitzboks’ game are returning to form, bolstering the squad’s ability to win crucial matches. “We have done well by winning our pools in both Hong Kong and Singapore, only to mess up in the quarter-finals,” he noted.
“We need that edge again that will win us the knockout games too. It is no use to be able to beat anyone on the circuit, like we can, only to come up short in the playoffs.”
A significant focus for Snyman has been refining the team’s defensive strategy. “We all know how dangerous this team can be with ball in hand, but we needed to be better in other aspects of the game, and I think we have turned that around,” he said.
“There are enough experience and play-making abilities in the squad; we now need to find the correct combinations for Monaco too.”
The Blitzboks’ performance in Madrid will serve as a crucial preparatory stage for the Monaco tournament, which is pivotal for their Olympic aspirations. “We are playing Ireland, New Zealand, and Fiji, who all qualified for Paris already, so they will not have that on their minds,” Snyman explained.
“For us, the Monaco tournament will be crucial, but in saying that, what happens here in Madrid will lay the foundation for Monaco, so it is very important to get it right here this weekend. We are going to test some combinations and give some game time to returning players, but those tweaks will not take away our goal – to return to winning ways.”
The Grand Final pools feature a formidable lineup, with the Blitzboks placed in Pool B alongside Ireland, New Zealand, and Fiji. The pool games will take place on Friday and Saturday, with the top two teams from each pool advancing to the semi-finals on Sunday.
The Blitzboks are not only focused on reclaiming their dominance in the series but also on building the right momentum for their Olympic campaign. A successful run in Madrid would serve as a morale booster and a critical step towards their ultimate goal of competing in Paris.
With Snyman at the helm and a renewed focus on defensive solidity and strategic play, the Blitzboks are poised to deliver a standout performance in Madrid.
Their journey in the HSBC SVNS Grand Final will be a testament to their resilience and readiness to tackle the challenges ahead, setting the stage for an exciting Olympic qualification campaign in Monaco.
Grand Finale Pools:
Pool A: Argentina, Australia, France, Great Britain
Pool B: Ireland, New Zealand, Fiji, South Africa
Blitzbok Pool Fixtures (live on SuperSport):
Friday, 31 May:
14:37: South Africa vs Ireland
Saturday, 1 June:
12:44: South Africa vs New Zealand
15:49: South Africa vs Fiji
Photo: Blitzboks,X
