Johannesburg - Remember Wellington last year? Well, that was the final the Blitzbokke controversially lost to New Zealand which was the catalyst for their Sevens World Series meltdown that cost them the championship.
New Zealand burgled a victory from the jaws of defeat with a last-gasp try, New Zealander Matt O’Brien’s officiating coming under the spotlight after he awarded the hosts nine penalties as opposed to the one for the South African.
O’Brien allegedly apologised to Blitzbokke coach Neil Powell in the aftermath of the defeat even though World Rugby denied the apology.
This week the Blitzbokke will return to the capital of the Land of the Long White Cloud with no ill feelings about what happened a year ago but with a mission to entrench themselves as the leading team in the series, according to captain Philip Snyman.
Snyman was part of the team denied a maiden win in the backyard of the old foe and as painful as that moment was in his Sevens career, it is one that doesn’t haunt him and should remain in the past.
“I can still remember it but I don’t have sleepless nights because I know we are going to change it around this year,” said Snyman.
“We lost it in the dying seconds against New Zealand so hopefully this year we can do it. Our aim is to win the world series and also get the next generation of Sevens players coming through.
“This is a good opportunity for us. There are some youngsters in the squad who will make their debut and will put up their hands.”
The Blitzbokke will be without former leader Kyle Brown who has been ruled out for the remainder of the season after a knee injury in Cape Town while leading points scorer Cecil Afrika will play no part in the Wellington and Sydney legs because of a knee injury sustained during training this year.
Junior Springbok flank Zain Davids will make his Sevens debut in Wellington while speedster Siviwe Soyizwaphi will finally get an extended run in the side to bring him up to speed ahead of Seabelo Senatla’s departure from the side to join the Stormers in Super Rugby after Sydney.
Along with Senatla, Kwagga Smith will also be leaving the Sevens set-up to join the Lions Super Rugby squad, leaving the team thin on experience.
Snyman is optimistic, though, that they can plug the gaps.
“It will be the last two tournaments for them (Senatla and Smith) and I am certain they are fully committed to this team and will give their everything.
“They will die on the pitch if they have to for this team. It is a massive honour and a privilege to play alongside two of the best players in the world. Yes we are going to miss them but for now we will enjoy the moments of playing alongside them.
“This is also an opportunity for youngsters to put up their hands but this is not only for the debutants but also the senior players to fulfil their leadership roles in the team. I think they are up for that because they grew so much in the past few years and are ready to take that job,” Snyman said during their two-day camp in Joburg this week.
The Blitzbokke will kick-off the Wellington tournament with a tricky fixture against Japan next Saturday (1.09am SA time) before taking on tough challenges against Australia (4.33am) and Fiji (8.18am).