Springbok Sevens captain, Philip Snyman, said they are keen to get going at the HSBC Cape Town Sevens this weekend, where they will meet Zimbabwe, Samoa and New Zealand in Pool A on Day One.
Snyman attended the official captains’ photo session held at Robben Island today, showing a first glimpse of the commemorative match jersey they will play in this weekend.
The special motif jersey tributes the late president Nelson Mandela's 100th birthday celebrations and Snyman said that will be part of the motivation.
"Standing here on Robben Island, wearing this special jersey - it is really very emotional. We all celebrate the role Madiba played as Father of the Nation and this jersey will be added motivation for us. The Blitzboks also are a team who want to inspire and give hope to people and to use our abilities on the field to bring the nation together, pretty much as envisaged by the late Mr Mandela."
Snyman said that internal desire, plus the need to improve on their efforts from Dubai last week, will drive them this week.
"We want to play to our potential and for everyone out there. That is a given."
The expected sell-out crowd will also be a boost to their energy levels and motivation said the captain.
"We will be playing in front of 50 odd thousand people in the only weekend we get to play in our own country. That is massive for us. More importantly though, is that we also playing with the support of 50 million people and we are hoping to make all of them proud."
Snyman believes that they will be able to do the necessary tweaks needed to improve on their sixth-place finish in Dubai.
"Coach Neil Powell has a plan or two up his sleeve and I think we will be very competitive this weekend. Running out there with the support of the country, wearing this special jersey will just be a fantastic occasion and we can't wait."
Snyman attended the official captains’ photo session held at Robben Island today, showing a first glimpse of the commemorative match jersey they will play in this weekend.
The special motif jersey tributes the late president Nelson Mandela's 100th birthday celebrations and Snyman said that will be part of the motivation.
"Standing here on Robben Island, wearing this special jersey - it is really very emotional. We all celebrate the role Madiba played as Father of the Nation and this jersey will be added motivation for us. The Blitzboks also are a team who want to inspire and give hope to people and to use our abilities on the field to bring the nation together, pretty much as envisaged by the late Mr Mandela."
Snyman said that internal desire, plus the need to improve on their efforts from Dubai last week, will drive them this week.
"We want to play to our potential and for everyone out there. That is a given."
The expected sell-out crowd will also be a boost to their energy levels and motivation said the captain.
"We will be playing in front of 50 odd thousand people in the only weekend we get to play in our own country. That is massive for us. More importantly though, is that we also playing with the support of 50 million people and we are hoping to make all of them proud."
Snyman believes that they will be able to do the necessary tweaks needed to improve on their sixth-place finish in Dubai.
"Coach Neil Powell has a plan or two up his sleeve and I think we will be very competitive this weekend. Running out there with the support of the country, wearing this special jersey will just be a fantastic occasion and we can't wait."
