Blitzboks aim to keep chasing pack at bay

The last time a side won four of the first five tournaments of a World Sevens Series season was a decade ago when New Zealand were at their zenith and on their way to the eighth of their 12 overall titles.

The Blitzboks have a chance to capture their fourth win of the campaign in Las Vegas this weekend‚ the fifth round of the 2016/7 season‚ which also marks the halfway point in season.

Seldom has the series seen such dominance by one team‚ but SA have collected 85 out of a possible 88 log points so far this season and are 17 points clear of second-placed England.

The margins in sevens are slim and one missed tackle or dropped pass usually has dire consequences.

The Blitzboks are also now the team to beat and every side sees them as the main hurdle in front of their own ambitions‚ so there is added pressure of carrying the favourites tag.

• Veteran Afrika makes timely return to the Blitzbok squad ahead of Vegas tripSouth Africa’s leading sevens points’ scorer Cecil Afrika has been included in the Blitzbok squad for the North American leg of the HSBC World Sevens Series after an injury lay-off. 

Key to the Blitzboks success this year has been their superior fitness‚ which is a vital component of their dominant defence.

The ability to get back to their feet and align for the next phase of tackling has been superb.

Having the luxury of a permanent base in Stellenbosch allows the Blitzboks to train collectively and to their own schedule in between tournaments. It’s paying huge dividends.

“We need to tweak here and there‚ depending on the circumstances‚ but because we have a broad [fitness] base to work from‚ we are able to do that‚” conditioning coach Allan Temple-Jones said from Las Vegas.

“The two-week turnaround between tournaments is pretty flexible and we might drop a contact session for a cross-training session if the guys need that.

• A Senatla-sized cavity to fill for BlitzboksDespite their best-ever start to a HSBC World Sevens Series campaign after three wins in four tournaments‚ all is not plain sailing for Blitzbok coach Neil Powell. 

“It was a tough turnaround from Wellington and Sydney‚ so our key focus this time around was basically to get the guys training again. We mix up the training with the intensity building up towards the end of the two weeks.”

Former world sevens players of the year Cecil Afrika and Werner Kok will both be key figures for the Blitzboks this weekend‚ especially in the absence of stalwarts such as Seabelo Senatla and Kwagga Smith.

Kok missed all of last season with a knee injury while Afrika missed the Blitzboks’ back-to-back wins in Wellington and Sydney last month. Kok also missed out on day two in Sydney with a calf muscle injury.

“It is never nice to miss out on a tournament‚ but luckily that niggle is sorted out and I am feeling fresh and ready to go‚” Kok said.

• Blitzboks dominant in Sydney‚ open massive lead in seriesThe Blitzboks underlined their dominance of the HSBC World Sevens Series by winning the Sydney leg of the circuit on Sunday to open a massive lead at the top the standings. 

“This is a fun tournament to be part of and I am happy to be here. Now we need to get onto the field and I am looking forward to that.”

Afrika added: “It is great to be back with the guys‚ especially after missing out on those back-to-back wins in Wellington and Sydney. What struck me immediately was how trusted our structures are. I slotted in immediately.”

The playmaker is South Africa's leading point scorer in the World Rugby Sevens Series (1167 points in 47 tournaments)‚ but realises that his starting berth for the first match against Canada on Friday is far from secure‚ with Justin Geduld excelling in this role in Wellington and Sydney.

“Yes‚ Justin was fantastic in those two tournaments and one have to congratulate him on that‚” said Afrika.

• It's Sevens up, up and away for BlitzboksThe Blitzboks have entered uncharted territory in the HSBC World Sevens Series - not only are they the team to beat, but they are also the standard-bearers of the sport. 

“He played very well‚ but that is a healthy thing in the squad. Players push each other all the time and I think that contributes to our combined effort as a team.

“Injuries are part of the game and the nice thing about rugby is that it gives another player a chance to show his worth. Justin certainly showed that.”

The Blitzboks are in Pool A alongside Canada‚ Wales and France.

- TMG Digital/TMG Sport