Tristan Leyds thrilled to be back in the Blitzboks squad after missing the previous tournament in Perth due to injury. Picture: Ayanda Ndamane, Independent Newspapers
THE BLITZBOKS have received a timely boost ahead of the HSBC SVNS tournament in Vancouver, with Sebastiaan Jobb and Tristan Leyds both returning to action after injury setbacks.
For Jobb, this weekend marks a long-awaited second chance to establish himself in the Blitzboks setup after a frustrating two-year period marred by injuries. The 25-year-old speedster made his debut in 2023 but has since been sidelined by a series of setbacks that hampered his progress. Now, fully fit and eager to contribute, Jobb is determined to make his presence felt on the field.
“It was close to two years, but now I am getting ready to embrace this second chance,” Jobb said upon arrival in Vancouver. “I was frustrated at times, as it felt that I was never going to give myself that opportunity to play for the team again. It took so long; hence, I cannot wait, to be honest.”
Returning #Blitzboks keen to grab their opportunities in Vancouver this weekend - more here: https://t.co/uylWDqT6I5 👊#PoweredByUnity #HSBCSVNS pic.twitter.com/zlP8d6zvy2
— Springbok Sevens (@Blitzboks) February 18, 2025
The former Vodacom Bulls age-group player admitted that his initial stint with the team was not how he wanted to be remembered. Now, he is relishing the opportunity to rewrite his Blitzbok story.
“I was desperate to get back, as those two tournaments were not how I wanted to remember my contribution towards the Blitzbok jersey. This time around, I want to make the best of the opportunity. The team expects me to score tries, and I have my eye on a couple of those.”
Playmaker Tristan Leyds is equally thrilled to be back in the squad after missing the previous tournament in Perth due to injury.
“It is never nice to miss out on a tournament, especially when the guys do well,” Leyds said. “We had one or two small mishaps in Perth when we lost concentration at crucial times, but we worked on those and will be ready in Vancouver.”
Leyds highlighted the competitiveness within the squad as a key driver of their performance. With players back home working hard to earn their own opportunities, those selected for Vancouver are determined to make the most of their chances.
“The competition in the squad is great, and that helps a lot to keep us on our toes. There are guys back home working hard to get a chance, and those here need to make the most of this opportunity. That also creates a nice team environment, as everybody wants the team to be the best it can be.”
The Blitzboks have enjoyed a strong start to the 2025 HSBC SVNS series, and with key players returning, they will be aiming for another strong showing in Vancouver. Leyds praised the team culture, noting that the sense of camaraderie within the squad is a driving force behind their performances.
“That is a general feeling amongst the players; we are really a close group of guys who want to do the best for the team,” he said. “Hopefully, we can deliver the goods for all our supporters and the people back home.”
With Jobb eager to make up for lost time and Leyds keen to hit the ground running, the Blitzboks will be looking to make a statement in Vancouver this weekend.
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