Blitzboks eager to rectify poor show of last season

There are familiar comforts in Dubai for the Springbok Sevens rugby team, with the knowledge that a good track record and some passionate support await them at The Sevens Stadium on Saturday and Sunday.

Despite that, the Blitzboks will be sure not to take anything for granted.

In fact, it is quite the opposite, according to experienced forward Impi Visser, who said they are eager to “right the wrongs” of last season’s World Series.

The Blitzboks started off with a fine tournament win in Dubai, but did not meet their standards for the remainder of the series, nor those of their supporters, with only 12 wins in their last 30 outings.

That hurt was part of their determination and drive towards a better 2024 season, according to Visser.

“For our squad, Dubai has good memories,” Visser, who will be playing in his 33rd tournament, said.

“This will be my seventh appearance at the tournament, first with the Sevens Academy and later as a Blitzbok player on the World Series, with a couple of wins included.

“Many of us made our debuts here and handing out training jerseys to our two uncapped players, Quewin Nortjé and Katlego Letebele, at training reminded many of us how special this jersey and journey is,” Visser recounted.

“And that we did not always do the jersey proud last season.

“That hurt and will make us determined to use this opportunity to rectify that.”

The road to redemption started a couple of months ago during their preseason, in which they worked hard and stayed focused on the task at hand.

“Yes, the hard work was done, and we did push ourselves very hard,” Visser said.

“Now that is done, we get the chance to play, and we are eager to do so.”

On the other side of the experience spectrum, Masande Mtshali is keen to use every opportunity to grow and contribute.

The 20-year-old, who played for the Junior Springboks in the World Rugby U20 Championship earlier this season, hopes to take the lessons from last year’s five tournament appearances, combined with the hard work done at training, into the new season.

“Dubai is a good place to start with that,” Mtshali said. “I have been here before and we feel comfortable with the surroundings and tournament set-up, so there will be no excuses.

“We really trained hard to prepare ourselves in the best possible way for the tournament.

“I feel ready to contribute in a positive and constructive way and to go and make the country proud, alongside the rest of the Blitzboks.”

The Springbok Sevens squad take on Samoa, Canada and New Zealand in pool A of the tournament.