Springbok Sevens coach Philip Snyman has praised the team after overcoming the spirited Fiji 10-7 in the final of the HSBC SVNS New York on Sunday.
The victory ensured that the Blitzboks were crowned the 2026 HSBC SVNS Series champions.
Snyman said he’s proud about the team and its never said die attitude.
“This was special, not because of the execution of play, but the heart and intensity to play for each other that was shown out there.
They showed what Springbok Sevens stand for and played for that jersey, and as a coach, you cannot be prouder of such an effort.
“The defensive effort was something else from minute one until the last play.
In the final sequence of play, Fiji created an overlap here and there, but the guys never gave up, and they could not get through,” said Snyman.
The team went into this weekend’s final after they clinched last weekend’s Vancouver title.
Snyman applauded the players for buying into his vision for the squad, which included bringing in new players to build depth.
“The senior players bought in and started to contribute, and every new player coming in had the backing of support of the senior guys as well and that made it possible to continue with that plan.
We are not done yet.
We need to keep growing and improving.
We will have a rest now but will come back as determined for the three tournaments of the World Championship,” explained the coach.
The coach’s comments were echoed by captain, Impi Visser, who bloodied face at the end of the match resembled a boxing match rather than a rugby final.
“We gave them a bit too much possession, which is what Fiji thrives on, but our defence won the day.
We did not play our best rugby of the tournament in the final, but our defence was outstanding and that secured the win,” remarked Visser, who celebrated his 50th cap for the team.
Meanwhile, Player of the Final, Selvyn Davids, attributed the team’s excellent performance to its unity.
“We did not always play the perfect game or did what the coaches wanted us to do, but we played for each other, our support system and our country every time we ran onto the field, that was a given.
Words cannot really describe how I feel. To be Player of the Final was because of the team and I could not have done this alone. We really worked hard for this, and it was worth all the effort,” said Davids.
With the title now in the bag, the Blitzboks will now prepare for the HSBC SVNS World Championship, to be held in Hong Kong, Valladolid and Bordeaux.
The victorious team is expected to arrive in Cape Town on Tuesday.
