Blitzboks finish strong but suffer from inconsistency in Singapore

South Africa’s Springbok Sevens team has indeed concluded the league phase of the HSBC SVNS season in a commendable fourth position after a robust finish in Singapore.

However, an impressive performance yielded bittersweet results, as the Blitzboks found themselves placed ninth overall despite winning both their final matches. The season has been overshadowed by head coach Philip Snyman’s lament over the team’s inconsistent form.

In the final tournament held in Singapore, the Blitzboks showcased their character with three victories from four games; notably, they overcame both the USA (14-12) and Australia (26-7) on Sunday.

Yet, a staggering loss to Great Britain in their pool opener—the result of an early red card—forced them into a struggle for minor placings. This inconsistency continued to fuel concerns ahead of the Grand Finale in Los Angeles next month, highlighting a recurring issue with discipline.

“That first game against GB really put us on the backfoot, first with the early red card and then playing with only five players later on after a yellow card,” Snyman said.

“We need to address our discipline as it wasn’t up to standard with too many cards and too many penalties.

Although they showed resilience in their final matches, the head coach acknowledged that inconsistency has been the story of the season.

In what was arguably their finest performance of the tournament, the Blitzboks prevailed against Australia, leaving Snyman with a complex blend of emotions.

“While I have some mixed feelings, I’m very happy with the way we finished the tournament,” he admitted.

The struggle with consistency continues to plague the team, leaving Snyman frustrated yet hopeful. “I believe in this squad and the programme, but we need to be more consistent, which is why we’re not amongst the top three,” he stated.

“We have beaten Argentina twice and we played in two finals, but on the Asian leg in the last two weeks we came up short, which we need to address.”

As the Blitzboks prepare for the Grand Finale, Snyman is aware of the necessity for a mental shift in the team. “We are going to continue to work very hard and make a mental shift to see how we can be more clinical and consistent, because this team has shown they can beat any other team.”

With their eyes firmly set on the future, the Blitzboks are determined to improve their performance and secure a place among the elite by tackling inconsistency head-on. This ambition aligns with their broader goals, which include preparing for the Olympic Games in 2028.