The Springbok Sevens will be hoping to close the 2025 season on a high note, by winning the final event of the season, this weekend’s HSBC SVNS World Championship in Los Angeles. The team has had a disastrous season, but coach Philip Snyman said he has some game plans against his opponents in Pool A, against France on Saturday, before locking horns with Great Britain and Argentina on Sunday.
“We have a variety of combinations available, and I am looking at the best ones for each opponent.We had a poor match in our last outing against Great Britain, France remain a very competitive team and Argentina have just won the series, so it will be really challenging.Our record in the once-off tournaments has been good though and we’re prepared and determined to finish the season with a performance that everyone can be proud of,” said Snyman.
“The coach is pleased that every single Blitzbok in the squad has been part of at least one career HSBC SVNS tournament victory, which they hope to repeat in LA. “This format, with only eight teams competing in two pools, is challenging, but we have beaten France, Great Britain and Argentina before this year, so I am confident that we will progress to the semi-finals on day two,” remarked Snyman.
The team has been boosted by the return of leading try-scorer for the season, Quewin Nortje, and two-time world series winners Ronald Brown and Mfundo Ndhlovu from injury.
“It is great to have those three back, as they all have game breaking abilities. Quewin’s pace and finishing ability out wide is very valuable, while Mfundo’s physicality in the midfield gives us more options on how we want to attack. He runs great short lines, which can set up rucks in the midfield, situations where Ronald’s pace off the mark can punish opponents. But individuals aside, it will be a team effort that will bring success or not,” explained Snyman.
