The Blitzboks touched down in Cape Town at sunrise, the hum of the overnight Dubai flight still in their ears and the sting of a fifth-place finish still in their chests.
But as the Mother City opened its arms, sweeper Ricardo Duarttee stepped off the plane looking like a man ready to charge into contact again.
And that next hit? The HSBC SVNS Cape Town – a home-soil showdown at DHL Stadium this weekend, ripe for redemption and ready to be plucked.
All eyes on Cape Town 👀
Catch all the action live on the RugbyPass App #HSBCSVNS | #HSBCSVNSCPT pic.twitter.com/R1czy7sxmC
— HSBC SVNS (@SVNSSeries) November 30, 2025
As Duarttee put it, he’s gearing up for “another bite at the cherry.”
The Blitzboks wasted no time licking their wounds after Dubai.
“We regrouped on Sunday already after the disappointment of Saturday, as one could see on our day two results,” Duarttee said on arrival.
“It hurts that we dropped results to Fiji and Argentina in our pool, but we came back on Sunday to get some belief back.”
Now, with Cape Town calling, belief turns into intent.
“This weekend, we have another chance to redeem ourselves and I cannot wait for that.”
South Africa’s Sevens stars haven’t forgotten the roar of the DHL Stadium crowd, where they lifted the trophy last year, only the second time since the event moved to Cape Town in 2015.
“We certainly do not want to wait that long again, in fact, the squad will be very determined to right the wrongs from Dubai,” said the 20-tournament campaigner.
“Cape Town is just such a special place to play at. There is a massive feeling of excitement for the weekend.”
He insists the Blitzboks will be extra motivated to do well in their own backyard.
“We play for the love of the game, for the passion we have for it and this weekend, we get to play in front of family, friends and loyal supporters.”
And with a tough pool looming facing newly crowned Dubai champions New Zealand first, then Fiji, and finally Great Britain, the task ahead is as tough as facing a Springbok scrum. But Duarttee welcomes the challenge.
“What an opportunity this will be for us to rectify the mistakes and show what we are capable of, especially in front of a proper crowd to cheer us on. I cannot wait for Saturday, it is going to be a huge day.”
Above all, he wants a sea of green and gold in the stands.
“We need to put some pride back in the Springbok Sevens jersey and where better that right here. There is no place like DHL Stadium on the weekend of the Cape Town Sevens.”
“We need our supporters to come and celebrate our only opportunity to play at home with us. See you there.”
