‘Determined’ Blitzboks chase history at new-look Hong Kong Sevens

South Africa’s Blitzboks flew out of Cape Town last weekend “determined” to make history at the Hong Kong Sevens from March 28-30. New Zealand are the two-time defending champions, and Fiji have also had a lot of success at the event, but the Blitzboks have never won it.

Australia, Samoa and England have also taken out Men’s Cup titles at the esteemed tournament which dates back to 1976 at Hong Kong Stadium. But, the HSBC SVNS Series stop will usher in a new era this time with Kai Tak Sports Park hosting for the first time.

For South Africa’s Siviwe Soyizwapi, who debuted at the Hong Kong Sevens in 2016, the mission remains the same. With the Blitzboks currently placed equal third on the standings, the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens is an opportunity to do the jersey justice.

Catch up on the action from the HSBC SVNS Series on RugbyPass TV, which you can sign up for HERE.

Reigning League Winners Argentina are on track for back-to-back round-robins crowns as they currently sit in first with 68 points, while Spain are close behind with 64. Then, nothing splits traditional heavyweights Fiji and South Africa who are locked on 62 – well ahead of fifth.

Other than 32-year-old Soyizwapi, Ryan Oosthuizen and Zain Davids are the other Blitzboks who have played at least SVNS Series tournaments. Co-captains Impi Visser and Selvyn Davids also boast plenty of experience as major assets to this national team.

Ricard Duarttee, Dewald Human, Shilton van Wyk, Quewin Nortje, Donavan Don, Zander Reynders and Tristan Leyds have also been selected. The other spot has gone to Gino Cupido who is in line to debut for the Blitzboks in Hong Kong China.

“We leave here well prepared and determined to succeed,” Soyizwapi said as the team prepared to leave Cape Town on Sunday.

“We are aware of our log position and the comfort in that is that is shows our growth as a team. We want to be in the top four in every tournament and we are getting there, so the confidence is growing that we are on the right track.

“The one thing I came to realise over time is that it is the performance on the day that counts and that you must always be ready for those. Hence my comfort for this tournament, as we prepared very well.

“The growth of the squad in recent times shows in the performances this far, we are becoming contenders in each tournament we play in.”

After a slow start at the season opener in Dubai last month, the South Africans bounced back a week later by taking out a drought-breaking title on home soil in Cape Town. More recently, the Blitzboks placed second in Vancouver behind only Argentina.

With a burning desire to go one better one of the biggest stages the sport has to offer, the Boks will have to overcome giant-slayers Uruguay, Australia and New Zealand in pool play. Uruguay got the better of the New Zealanders and Fiji at SVNS Perth earlier this year.

“Our supporters do not have an easy time,” Soyizwapi. “In Vancouver, the final was played at something like 3:00 am on a Monday morning back home, yet so many people got up to watch and support.

“The time zones are a bit better next weekend, so maybe we can return the favour. We really value the support we get and that is also a driving factor for the team.”

Blitzboks squad for Hong Kong Sevens

#2 Ryan Oosthuizen – 53 tournaments, 230 points (46 tries)
#3 Impi Visser (co-captain) – 43 tournaments, 220 points (44 tries)
#4 Zain Davids – 50 tournaments, 225 points (45 tries)
#5 Ricardo Duarttee – 16 tournaments, 255 points (20 tries, 76 conversions, 1 penalty goal)
#8 Selvyn Davids (co-captain) – 39 tournaments, 712 points (93 tries, 122 conversions, 1 penalty goal)
#10 Dewald Human – 29 tournaments, 298 points (26 tries, 84 conversions)
#11 Siviwe Soyizwapi – 57 tournaments, 770 points (154 tries)
#12 Shilton van Wyk – 24 tournaments, 225 points (45 tries)
#14 Quewin Nortje – 10 tournaments, 135 points (27 tries)
#15 Donavan Don – 7 tournaments, 52 points (10 tries, 1 conversion)
#20 Gino Cupido – uncapped
#21 Zander Reynders – 3 tournaments, 0 points
#24 Tristan Leyds – 8 tournaments, 110 points (14 tries, 20 conversions)