Can the Blitzboks finally end their Hong Kong Sevens bogey?
Despite the tournament being one of the most anticipated on the World Sevens Series circuit, South Africa have yet to claim the title.
But perhaps the new venue – the 50,000-seater Kai Tak Stadium, instead of the Hong Kong Stadium – could present a change in fortunes for the Blitzboks this weekend.
They went down 15-0 to Australia in the quarter-finals last year, but are on a good run this season, having won the Cape Town Sevens.
They reached the final of the Canada Sevens last month, losing 19-12 to Argentina in the title decider, but showed great fighting spirit to beat Fiji 12-10 despite a red card to Sebastiaan Jobb.
Now fourth and level on 62 points with third-placed Fiji, the South Africans are chasing leaders Argentina (68) and Spain (64), with two tournaments to go in Hong Kong and then next weekend’s Singapore event before the grand finale, the World Championship that involves the top-eight teams only, in Los Angeles from May 3-4.
“This is a tournament that we’ve never won yet,” stalwart Zain Davids, who has returned from a knee injury for Hong Kong, said on Tuesday.
“Our medical team did wonders and still do. I had to push hard to get back to a level where I could put myself back into the selection fray, and thanks to the medical team’s interventions and support, I did so.
“We are in a good space. Our defence is good, and we have players with some amazing flair on attack. We are playing exciting rugby now.
“Add to that the fact that we do play for each other has a positive outcome for all of us.
“We fight for each other, and we got to the semi-finals in Perth and final in Vancouver. That will motivate the guys to go in the right direction. We always want to be on top.”
Another experienced campaigner in Ryan Oosthuizen added that he is excited to make his seventh Hong Kong appearance – and 54th tournament overall – for the South Africans, who will face Uruguay (11.56am) and Australia on Friday, and New Zealand (7.43am) on Saturday in Pool B action.
“We are really in a good space,” Oosthuizen said.
“There is a genuine bond amongst the guys, who enjoy each other’s company off the field too and that makes for a happy squad who are prepared to work for each other on the field.
“That bodes well for this weekend, where we will face three tough pool opponents in Uruguay, Australia and New Zealand.
“It was almost unreal to think back to 2017 when I came here as a young kid making my debut and now, all these years on, I am almost 30 and about to become a dad. What a journey it has been for me. A wonderful journey, I might add.”
