DHL STADIUM – Springbok Women Sevens assistant coach Cecil Afrika have admitted playing at home brings more pressure.
This weekend has seen a massive drop in the South African ladies performance after a pile of injuries in the team have disrupted their momentum.
The host nation failed to impress in front of their home crowd having lost all their games on Day 1 of the Cape Town Sevens.
On Sunday, the ladies faced Japan in the 10th place semi-final at Hamilton Rugby Club field, however they suffered a 27-7 loss.
Afrika admitted that a lot needs to be done on the side.
“I think it’s a massive challenge, obviously, from last week to this week. There was a lot of excitement going through in Dubai, it’s our first time in the World Series,” said Afrika.
“And then this week, there’s a lot of distraction that the players are not used to. And I guess that is part of it, part of the growing pains.
“I think we were much more focused on the external stuff and not focused on the inside and why we’re here as an individual and how we’re going to go forward.
“I know we spoke about it, but it’s how you respond when an opportunity presents itself.
“There’s always pressure once you represent your country and especially back home. You know, and the pressure is much more than playing away.
“Because this is one opportunity that you get to play in front of your family and loved ones and you want to make them proud.”
South Africa will now face Spain in the 11th-place play-offs on Sunday.
