“New beginnings bring new opportunities.”
That is one motivational quote that the Blitzboks can channel their focus on as they head into the Hong Kong leg of the World SVNS Series.
The South Africans have achieved success all over the world, but Hong Kong is the one stop on the circuit where gold has always sidestepped them.
Since 1993 at the Hong Kong Stadium, the Blitzboks have made the finals of the event only four times; against Fiji in 1997, 2009, and 2017, and against New Zealand in 2008. They placed third at the 2002 and 2014 tournaments.
While the goal has always been the same heading into the iconic event – to break that duck – this year they might just have a little extra motivation to do that.
After more than four decades in the heart of Hong Kong island, the event will now take place at Kai Tak Stadium; a flashy, modern structure with state-of-the-art features.
The new home of Hong Kong Sevens, situated across the harbour on the city’s Kowloon peninsula, has a capacity of 50 000.
But it’s not the high-tech stadium with its retracting roof or the stunning views of Victoria Harbour and the city’s skyline that the Blitzboks will want to be the most impressive sights this weekend. No, they will want their performances to be the ultimate displays.
While they have never tasted success in Hong Kong, the fifth tournament of the 2024/25 season, playing at a new venue presents the perfect opportunity to change that.
And it’s a goal Springbok Sevens captain Selvyn Davids has highlighted as a major one as they fine tune their preparations.
That is a definite goal for the squad, we want to be successful here in Hong Kong. We have won all around the world, but not here. This is such a prestigious event and we need to get that done and what better time to start here in the new stadium.
We have shown consistent form this season, believe in each other and know what we can achieve so we are going to have a real go at it.
After finishing sixth in Dubai, first in Cape Town, fourth in Perth, and second in Vancouver, the Blitzboks are currently fourth on the World Rugby Sevens Series standings with 62 points, behind log-leaders Argentina (68), Spain (66), and Fiji (62).
With three tournaments remaining (including Hong Kong), Philip Snyman’s team will be gunning for maximum points in the remaining legs in Singapore (5 – 6 April) and Los Angeles (3 – 4 May).
Pool B Fixtures:
Friday, March 28:
▶️ 11h56: Uruguay
▶️ 14h39: Australia
Saturday, March 29
▶️ 07h43: New Zealand
Springbok Sevens Squad for Hong Kong:
- Ryan Oosthuizen
- Impi Visser
- Zain Davids
- Ricardo Duarttee
- Selvyn Davids
- Dewald Human
- Siviwe Soyizwapi
- Shilton van Wyk
- Quewin Nortje
- Donavan Don
- Gino Cupido
- Zander Reynders
- Tristan Leyds
