It’s been more than three years since the Blitzboks were crowned 2025 HSBC SVNS champions, and veteran of the team Siviwe Soyizwapi says it is time they reclaim their place as the top dogs in the abbreviated version of rugby.
The Blitzboks had an excellent run in the series under their legendary Sevens coach Neil Powell from 2016 to 2022. They were champions in 2016-17 and 2017-18, fourth in 2018-19, runners-up in 2019-20 and lifted a third trophy in five years in 2022-21.
Second-placed South Africa lost out to winners Australia the next season — Powell's last before standing down. Since then it has been a barren spell, with finishes of seventh in the last two campaigns as France, New Zealand and Argentina dominated.
Sandile Ngcobo was in charge in the unsuccessful 2022-23 and stepped aside in the second half of last season, in March, as the South Africans showed some signs of life but ultimately could finish no higher under successor Philip Snyman. Now Soyizwapi says they are ready to give it another go.
The season kicks off in the Dubai Sevens on November 30 to December 1, after which the attention turns to Cape Town (December 7 to 8). Snyman and captain Selvyn Davids will be targeting a good start in those two tournaments.
“We are renowned to do well by winning a few of tournaments or playing in finals but have taken a bit of a dip as a squad,” Soyizwapi said. “We want to do that [challenge] again — we want to be the best team in the world and that’s when I can really say I am happy with the state of the game.
“When it comes to our game, we are happy because it’s dynamic, quick, and it suits the youth who are coming through. The fast, dynamic type of game is what is needed in the Sevens game. We want to be the best and we are working towards that.”
Soyizwapi, 32, is approaching his 10th season and is alive to time no longer being on his side.
“I will take it as it comes. At 32 the body starts talking to you, especially when you play the game of Sevens, which is much more brutal than normal rugby. I will take it one tournament at a time, and if I see that I can’t keep up or can’t get going any more, I will call it a day,” he said, adding he wants to leave space for younger players.
“At the end you have to be selfless in the sense that you don’t want to take up the space for other youngsters who are coming through. When the time is right and there are guys who can fill up my position, I will step down.”
Asked to reflect on his stellar career, the speed winger said he has surpassed his own expectations.
“I never would have thought that I will come this far, I grew up in a small town and went to a boys’ school in King William's Town. When I got the opportunity to get a professional contract, I stayed in the Eastern Cape.
“I never really imagined that the boundaries are wider than that. When I started pushing those boundaries I could see a lot being achieved. Coming now into my tenth season for the team where I played in 50 tournaments, it is something I would never have thought of.
“I am the oldest player in the group and there is a lot that has happened and I am just excited to keep serving where I can. Some of the younger players call me ‘malume’ [uncle].”
There is a lot of travelling during the season and said it has been a privilege to go around the world visiting amazing countries and playing in beautiful stadiums.
“I come from a small town, so when you get to travel to all these cities in the world, it is a privilege and opportunity to expand your horizons. Getting to play in certain stadiums and different countries and stadiums like Twickenham and Stade de France is something incredible.
“It's really a blessing to get that opportunity to represent your country on the world stage. Vancouver is the best place I have visited because it is different and it is a decent city in a great country and it is clean. I enjoyed that a lot.”
The end is near for Soyizwapi and he will consider coaching when he hangs up his boots.
“I really enjoy training, I would like to be involved in that space what I have learnt over the years with the younger guys. I’ll definitely be interested in staying on in the game.”
Soyizwapi said the South Africans' preparations for the season have been strong, and they are ready and fired up for the start.
“We are well under way with preparations. Actually we had a tournament last week in Stellenbosch just to be out there with the team and try to get a few combinations going.
“In less than two weeks, we kick off in Dubai. We took some time off after the Olympics, but it has come back quickly. We had a good preseason where we played some good games, and we are ready for the season.”
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