The Blitzboks had no luck at the previous venue, the Hong Kong Stadium, in almost three decades, and a change of venue could mean a change of fortunes, although Philip Snyman (head coach) did not leave anything to chance in the lead-up to the fifth HSBC SVNS tournament this season.
They have been testing their opening day plans for Uruguay and Australia on the training field since their arrival on Monday and on Friday, it is all about implementation, according to Snyman, who also has a new joker in his pack of cards.
“We have a plan and a clear strategy on how we want to approach these opening two matches on Friday,” said Snyman.
“Without giving too much away, we realise that it will be our execution and precision that will be most important.
“Uruguay does not stop trying and will be playing for 14 minutes, so there will be no time for a breather. We have a plan to outfox their defensive alignment, they do come off the line at great speed and we need to combat that.”
The same applies to Australia, who has some cunning plays from set piece and penalties: “They had some success against us in previous tournaments, so we adapted accordingly. They are very experienced as well, but as with Uruguay, I believe we have the talent and game plan to beat both of them, even with sevens being as unpredictable as it is.”
Part of Snyman’s belief is vested in consistent form since winning in Cape Town in December, as well as the ability of the chosen group, with Dewald Human and Zain Davids returning for this event, while the uncapped Gino Cupido will be an unknown factor.
“Zain’s power is well documented and Dewald is such an old head in this game, so it is great having them around again,” said Snyman.
“Dewald also was great in aiding Gino, whom I predict to achieve great things in rugby. He may only be 19 years old but is full of potential and a player I rate highly already.
“We will need him during the tournament to do his thing and he is fortunate to have some very experienced players around him when that moment arrives.”
The hype and anticipation are real, said Cupido, a native of Sir Lowry's Pass Village and former Strand High School pupil, and he is taking everything in with a deep breath of excitement.
“This is a dream achieved, rather than a dream coming true – I tried lots of sports, but rugby fitted best and in particular sevens rugby has been great for me,” said Cupido.
“Not only does it prepare you very well for the fifteens game, but I found a rugby family in this team, who have been nothing but amazing to me since I joined. They are always willing to help and my time with them has been so rewarding. Now I can finally repay them on the field as well.
“In fact, not only them, but all the country. To be pulling that jersey over my head tomorrow will be very special for me and my family and to do that at such an iconic event will even make it more special.”
SA fixtures (SA times, all matches live on SuperSport):
Friday 28 March
11h56: Uruguay
14h39: Australia
Saturday 29 March
07h43: New Zealand
Springbok Sevens squad for Hong Kong:
#2 Ryan Oosthuizen – 53 tournaments, 230 points (46 tries)
#3 Impi Visser (co-captain) – 43 tournaments, 220 points (44 tries)
#4 Zain Davids – 50 tournaments, 225 points (45 tries)
#5 Ricardo Duarttee – 16 tournaments, 255 points (20 tries, 76 conversions, 1 penalty goal)
#8 Selvyn Davids (co-captain) – 39 tournaments, 712 points (93 tries, 122 conversions, 1 penalty goal)
#10 Dewald Human – 29 tournaments, 298 points (26 tries, 84 conversions)
#11 Siviwe Soyizwapi – 57 tournaments, 770 points (154 tries)
#12 Shilton van Wyk – 24 tournaments, 225 points (45 tries)
#14 Quewin Nortje – 10 tournaments, 135 points (27 tries)
#15 Donavan Don – 7 tournaments, 52 points (10 tries, 1 conversion)
#20 Gino Cupido – uncapped
#21 Zander Reynders – 3 tournaments, 0 points
#24 Tristan Leyds – 8 tournaments, 110 points (14 tries, 20 conversions)
