Los Angeles performance will define Blitzboks' season — Snyman
Philip Snyman's team are in a tough pool with France, Great Britain and Argentina.
The captains of the men's and women's Sevens teams at the World Championship pose for a photo in Los Angeles before the start of the tournament Saturday. Picture: Patrick T Fallon / AFP
The Blitzboks have one last chance to show what they're made of when they take part in the World Championship in Los Angeles this weekend.
It's a 'winner-take-all' tournament — that is, whoever wins the tournament will be regarded as champions for the 2024/25 season.
The top eight teams throughout the season qualify for the World Championship. The Blitzboks, after a topsy-turvy campaign, finished fourth in the standings.
Philip Snyman's team will take on Olympic champions France, Great Britain and series winners Argentina in their pool. The top two teams advance to the semi-finals. The other group consists of New Zealand, Australia, Spain and Fiji.
The action takes place on Saturday, with the knockout games on Sunday.
'Every individual will have to be on point'
Snyman said this weekend's results would define the Blitzboks' season.
'We can look back at the regular series where we had a mixed bag of results, but this effort here in Los Angeles will define the season,' said Snyman.
'There were brilliant moments, average moments and some poor moments, but we are looking towards this weekend, not behind us. We had our review of the series and know what we were good at, or not. Our fourth place in the series was an improvement from the previous year, but we want to be remembered by more than that.
'To be successful this weekend, we approach this as a complete team effort where every individual will have to be on point when it comes to roles and responsibilities and to make sure that his job gets done. I believe our system is such that we will be successful if we manage that.'
'New energy'
Snyman said their preparations went well and he was pleased with the trio of Ronald Brown, Mfundo Ndhlovu and Quewin Nortje, who joined the squad for this trip.
'We needed some new energy, given the short turnaround from Singapore, where we did not deliver,' said the Blitzboks coach.
'I am happy to say we got that from them. Overall, it will be a weekend of enjoyment, effort and energy and each of those players are able to provide that. We are in a good space.'
Pool A fixtures (SA times, all matches live on SuperSport)
Saturday, 3 May
9.12pm: France
Sunday 4 May
12.13am: Great Britain
3.46am: Argentina
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