With the rugby sevens season kicking off, Springbok Sevens coach Philip Snyman is zeroing in on expanding the Blitzboks' roster. Just off a rigorous prep season, including a final conditioning stint and a bonding escape in Caledon, the team is poised for the upcoming SVNS series, debuting in Dubai at the end of November, with an eye on their home ground showdown in Cape Town the following week.
Snyman expressed satisfaction with the team’s preseason achievements, highlighting the integration of players returning from fifteen-a-side rugby and newcomers to the sevens format.
“We needed to get some game time in the legs, especially to get the guys who returned from their fifteens duties back on track with our plays,”
he commented. The Blitzboks got a taste of action at the Fast Forward Sevens in Stellenbosch and through a dozen warm-up matches against Germany, fine-tuning their match fitness and team dynamics.
The focus isn’t just on immediate results; Snyman is also casting an eye toward future competitions, particularly the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
“One of the main aims for this season is to expand our selection base with the eye on the 2028 Olympics,”
he explained. The strategy seems to be paying off, especially among the forwards where Snyman now boasts a deeper pool of talent. “Instead of three, I can now select from at least 10 players to start the match in the forwards – exactly the position I wanted to be in at the start of the season.”
The Blitzboks’ leadership and culture have been pivotal in this phase, with assistant coach Renfred Dazel playing a crucial role. Snyman praised the team-oriented approach that has been a hallmark of their preparation. “It’s a player-driven system, and we’re lucky to have leaders with great experience on the circuit,” said Snyman, acknowledging Dazel’s “technical knowledge and understanding of our values have been invaluable.”
As the team looks forward to the SVNS tournaments stretching from Dubai to Bordeaux, the Blitzboks are not just playing to win; they’re building a foundation for sustained success, infused with new blood and bolstered by seasoned leaders.
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With the rugby sevens season kicking off, Springbok Sevens coach Philip Snyman is zeroing in on expanding the Blitzboks' roster. Just off a rigorous prep season, including a final conditioning stint and a bonding escape in Caledon, the team is poised for the upcoming SVNS series, debuting in Dubai at the end of November, with an eye on their home ground showdown in Cape Town the following week.
Snyman expressed satisfaction with the team’s preseason achievements, highlighting the integration of players returning from fifteen-a-side rugby and newcomers to the sevens format.
“We needed to get some game time in the legs, especially to get the guys who returned from their fifteens duties back on track with our plays,”
he commented. The Blitzboks got a taste of action at the Fast Forward Sevens in Stellenbosch and through a dozen warm-up matches against Germany, fine-tuning their match fitness and team dynamics.The focus isn’t just on immediate results; Snyman is also casting an eye toward future competitions, particularly the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
“One of the main aims for this season is to expand our selection base with the eye on the 2028 Olympics,”
he explained. The strategy seems to be paying off, especially among the forwards where Snyman now boasts a deeper pool of talent. “Instead of three, I can now select from at least 10 players to start the match in the forwards – exactly the position I wanted to be in at the start of the season.”The Blitzboks’ leadership and culture have been pivotal in this phase, with assistant coach Renfred Dazel playing a crucial role. Snyman praised the team-oriented approach that has been a hallmark of their preparation. “It’s a player-driven system, and we’re lucky to have leaders with great experience on the circuit,” said Snyman, acknowledging Dazel’s “technical knowledge and understanding of our values have been invaluable.”
As the team looks forward to the SVNS tournaments stretching from Dubai to Bordeaux, the Blitzboks are not just playing to win; they’re building a foundation for sustained success, infused with new blood and bolstered by seasoned leaders.