Understrength Blitzboks are underdogs in Hong Kong

Despite being runaway HSBC 2016/17 World Sevens Series log leaders after four titles and six final appearances this season‚ the Blitzboks are underdogs going into round seven in Hong Kong.

The prestigious leg of the series sees the Blitzboks go into the tournament well prepared‚ but with a callow team as they attempt to win in Hong Kong for the first time.

SA holds a 23-point lead over England at the top of the standings and regardless of the outcome this weekend‚ they will still be top of the pile going into round eight in Singapore next week.

Winning is the goal‚ but a semi-final appearance would go a long way to tightening the Blitzboks’ grasp on the overall title‚ which is the main objective.

• Experienced Afrika to provide young Blitzboks with guidanceCecil Afrika has always been a key playmaker for the Blitzboks‚ but this weekend in Hong Kong as he celebrates his 50th World Series tournament‚ the veteran will need to be at his best. 

The draw is also difficult and should SA come through their pool they are likely to face Fiji or New Zealand in the quarterfinals.

They have only lost three out of 36 matches this season and all have been against England‚ a side the Blitzboks have met five times already – including in the finals in Cape Town‚ Sydney and Vancouver.

If the Blitzboks can limit damage on their lead‚ it would increase the pressure on the chasing pack with tournaments running out.

SA captain Phillip Snyman was optimistic of his team’s chances despite a swathe of injuries that have ruled out Rosko Specman‚ Justin Geduld and Stephan Dippenaar from the recent North American leg of the series.

• Depleted Blitzboks face tough mission to win in Hong KongA depleted SA Sevens team departs on what is seemingly a mission impossible despite their outstanding form this season‚ to win the prestigious Hong Kong Sevens title. 

The 30-year-old captain will also have to calm the nerves of the two 19-year-olds in the squad‚ Stedman Gans and Zain Davids‚ and make sure debutant Blitzbok‚ Selvyn Davids‚ hits the ground running‚ as South Africa face tough matches against France on Friday and Kenya and Canada on Saturday.

“Our [training] sessions went well‚” Snyman said.

“We had a solid attack session when we arrived and then showed good intensity in our defence session‚ which normally points to a positive mind-set in the squad.

“Stedman and Zain have seen what it’s all about in the last couple of tournaments‚ so they know what’s needed to contribute positively.

• Blitzboks decimated by injuries with Hong Kong loomingThe Blitzboks have been dealt a huge blow with the news that up to five players will miss a key period of the World Sevens Series through injury. 

"I am also pretty excited on behalf of Selvyn‚ as he really has some serious weapons in his arsenal and definitely has that X-factor.”

“You have to grow as a team during the year anyway and adapt here and there in order to progress your game‚” he said.

“We had to make a tweak or two‚ but the fundamentals stayed the same. If we stick to our system and structure like we have done in the last couple of months‚ the rewards will be there for us.”

Snyman dismissed talk of facing either NZ or Fiji in the last eight‚ preferring to focus on the pool matches first.

• Kyle Brown backs Blitzboks for titleFormer Blitzbok skipper Kyle Brown believes that overall victory in the 2016/17 World Sevens Series is within grasp for SA unless they suffer a massive implosion. 

“We will not look past France for our first match on Friday‚ so our focus will be on a strong start on day one‚” Snyman said.

“We are very keen to win here‚ but to do that we need to keep it simple‚ believe in our structures and game plan.”

 - TMG Digital/TMG Sport