Blitzboks captain Impi Visser has declared that a fearless approach will be pivotal for his team in the upcoming Bordeaux showdown. Despite a recent stumble in the final against Australia in Valladolid, the South African squad remains at the pinnacle of the SVNS World Championship standings. With the ultimate tournament of the season on the horizon, the Blitzboks are not just defending champions but also the leaders of the pack, with a slender four-point lead over Argentina and an eight-point buffer over Australia.
Reflecting on the past performance, Visser didn't shy away from admitting the team's shortcomings. “It was not the greatest team effort last weekend,” he confessed. “Individually we fought hard, but as a collective, we did not punch hard enough.” The lessons learned were harsh but necessary. “Those lessons were accepted and for this weekend, we want to go out and play without any fear, and stick to the things that make us tick as a team.”
"Sevens is 90% mental and 10% physical,"
Visser emphasized the psychological over the physical aspects of the game. With the Blitzboks poised to tackle Great Britain and Kenya in the pool stages, followed by a clash with Fiji, the mental fortitude of the team will be tested. “GB will come at us again, like they did last weekend, and Kenya always come at us, so we know what to expect from them. We have the skills to beat them, so it’s just the application that we need to get right.”
Despite the looming pressure of the World Championship standings, Visser’s focus remains unswervingly on the immediate challenges. “We are only going to focus on Friday. It will be about having the right frame of mind. We know what we can do, not to look for the results but to follow the process.” A win this weekend could mark their sixth tournament victory of an already stellar season, further cementing their dominance in the sport.
Blitzboks' Pool A fixtures are set as they face Great Britain and Kenya on Friday, and Fiji on Saturday, promising a thrilling contest as they strive to retain their World Championship crown.