The Springbok Sevens have spent the week in Dubai humming the same tune of belief.
From captain Impi Visser to warhorse Ryan Oosthuizen, and echoed firmly by head coach Philip Snyman, the message is simple: the Blitzboks are primed to ignite the Emirates Dubai 7s and launch the new HSBC SVNS season at full throttle.
Snyman, who battled through this desert furnace eight times as a player, isn’t dealing in self-praise. He knows exactly how unforgiving Dubai can be. It’s a pressure cooker where reputations melt and only execution matters.
“I am very happy with our preparations,” he said.
“Our pre-season went well and in our training session with Great Britain here at Dubai College in the week, things also went very well. So, we are ready.”
But readiness alone won’t guarantee survival in a format Snyman calls a “different beast.”
“Our confidence is good, but this format is unlike any other we have seen before for a season opener. The harsh reality is that you have to be on top of your game for every encounter, such is the quality of our opposition.”
And that opposition is brutal.
South Africa sit in Pool A, a shark tank featuring France, Fiji and Argentina — three heavyweights with Olympic medals, series titles and legendary status in sevens folklore.
“France are the Olympic champions and won the Championship the year before us; Fiji are probably the most recognised sevens country in the world; and then there is Argentina, who won the series over the last couple of years. We could not have asked for a tougher start,” Snyman admitted.
The Blitzboks, however, have arrived armed to the teeth. They boast the most experienced squad in the tournament. The only team without an uncapped player and carry a bank vault of try-scoring firepower across their roster.
Snyman’s long-game vision includes blooding new talent later in the season, but for now the focus is laser sharp.
Yes, Cape Town awaits next week but Dubai comes first.
“We know if we hit the ground running in Dubai and do well, we have all the momentum going to Cape Town next weekend… That said, France await,” he said.
The desert showdown begins Saturday, and if the Blitzboks deliver as promised, Dubai may just feel the heat of a green-and-gold wildfire.
Pools:
A: South Africa, France, Argentina, Fiji
B: Spain, New Zealand, Great Britain, Australia
Blitzbok schedule on Saturday (SA times, all games live on SuperSport)
11h32: France
14h16: Fiji
18h34: Argentina
