The cauldron of Hong Kong sevens rugby is ready to roar again, and South Africa’s Blitzboks arrive with sharpened studs, steady nerves and an appetite that refuses to fade.
For Zain Davids, the tournament represents unfinished business carved into memory. The 28-year-old forward has danced across the global sevens stage, collecting medals of every hue, yet Hong Kong remains the one arena where his trophy cabinet echoes with silence. That absence, though, is not a burden he carries onto the pitch.
Instead, Davids approaches the iconic tournament like a seasoned playmaker reading space in broken field, eyes fixed firmly on the next phase.
“We are starting this Championship at the same venue and with no log points,” Davids said from Hong Kong. “What happened in the past counts for nothing, but what happens this weekend will.
“We have never won here, fair enough, but that is not consuming us. What we want is to be on the same page, execute our game plan as one, and take it one game at a time. For now, that is Uruguay, and from there on in, we’ll take each challenge as it comes.”
Hong Kong’s unique rhythm demands clarity and cohesion. South Africa’s Pool A assignment against Uruguay, Spain and Argentina offers no soft entry points, only a sequence of collisions that will test both structure and spirit.
Davids returns to the fold refreshed after missing the Vancouver and New York legs of the HSBC SVNS Series. The enforced pause, carefully managed by the coaching staff, has left him eager to rejoin the fray.
“You always want to play in every tournament, but coach Philip laid out his plans to the senior guys at the beginning of the season and explained rest periods and recovery times, so we all knew that we could be rested along the way,” said Davids.
“I use the word rested in italics, as our strength and conditioning coach, Ghafoer Luckan, keeps a very sharp eye on our prescribed fitness programme, even when we are not travelling and he is away with the team.
“So, I am fit and ready for this one. I’m feeling refreshed and keen to get another trophy win.
“We enjoy playing in the Hong Kong tournament, where there is a lot of South African support. In a way, if we go all out and finish on top, it will be as much for them as for us.”
While Davids brings renewed energy, captain Impi Visser carries the compass. His message is clear, measured and edged with ambition.
The #Blitzboks welcome back a young speedster and one of their forward stalwarts for their trip to Hong Kong – more here: https://t.co/qkO8RILgOI ⚡#PoweredByUnity #HSBCSVNS pic.twitter.com/0JR73Lm7LG
— Springbok Sevens (@Blitzboks) April 8, 2026
The Blitzboks may have conquered the series, winning four of six tournaments, yet Visser believes their finest rugby still lies ahead, waiting to be unlocked like a backline move rehearsed to perfection.
“Yes, we are not quite there yet, especially on attack, where we can be much better than what we were in our last tournament in New York,” said Visser.
“There our defence was outstanding, our attack not so much.”
That duality has shaped their preparation. Defence has been a granite wall, but Hong Kong demands artistry too, the ability to slice open space with surgical precision.
“We had a short time to prepare at home as we travelled to Hong Kong a bit earlier than usual, but our focus remains the same,” Visser added.
“We believe we are the best team on the circuit and as such, we want to prove that by winning this weekend. Being the top ranked team will put a target on our backs, but that is fine. We want to be challenged, but mostly by ourselves.
“Our focus is on what we want to achieve, starting with the match against Uruguay.”
The presence of emerging teams from the second tier adds another layer of unpredictability. Like loose balls bouncing in traffic, opportunity and danger arrive unannounced.
“We all start at zero, so you underestimate any other team at your own peril,” said Visser.
“Twelve teams come into the same tournament hoping to achieve the same goal and that is to win it. So, we will approach all our opponents with that respect.”
Hong Kong’s legacy looms large over every kickoff, a cathedral of sevens rugby where legends have been forged in fleeting moments of brilliance.
“Many great names in the game have played and competed here,” Visser reflected. “In a way, this is the home of sevens and where it all started. Just to be part of this is special, to finally finish victorious will be even more so.”
As the Blitzboks step onto the turf, the script is unwritten and the scoreboard blank. For Davids and his teammates, the mission is simple in design yet demanding in execution: stitch together the perfect performance and let it carry them to a long-awaited Hong Kong triumph.
Blitzbok pool schedule (SA times, all matches live on SuperSport)
Friday, 17 April
05h16 Uruguay
08h49 Spain
Saturday, 18 April
06h13 Argentina
