.Snyman: It’s up to the players to do the job
Head coach Philip Snyman says the Blitzboks have done their homework on their pool rivals in Vancouver, but that’s only the first step en route to title glory this week.
The South Africans face New Zealand on Friday (10:02pm, SA time) and Ireland on Saturday (3:29am) on day 1 of the fourth leg of the 2024-25 World Sevens Series tournament at BC Place, before a final Pool B match against Australia (Saturday, 9:14am).
Snyman acknowledged their opponents’ abilities while highlighting all of them have been analysed and plans to beat them made accordingly.
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“We have done the homework on our opponents, but of course one needs to execute those to be successful,” he said.
“So, one part is done, it is now up to the players to go and do the job.”
Snyman complimented the energy in the squad, with the introduction of Sebastiaan Jobb and Tristan Leyds bringing a breath of fresh air to the team.
“They slotted in nicely, but nothing has changed from our plan to blood new players and rotate others, so when injuries happen, we just adapt accordingly,” he added.
“We try to have the starting team from the last two matches of the previous tournament to start the opening match of the next one in order to create some momentum and stability, and I am confident that it will work well for us again.
“New Zealand did not perform well in Perth, so they will be hurting and looking for a good rebound, but if we start well against them, the standard for the rest of the tournament will be set.
“Ireland are another dangerous side that always plays well against us, while Australia won their last match against us, in the Perth semi-finals. We would love to get one back over them.”
The Blitzboks last played New Zealand in Dubai and lost 24-17 in the quarter-finals. They managed to beat Ireland 37-7 in Cape Town a week later in December, but that Irish side were not at their best due to a stomach bug in the squad.
Snyman said the Blitzboks played a match against Uruguay earlier in the week, which worked well for them.
“It is always good to be tested against different defensive and attacking systems as one gets used to each other in training,” he said.
“So, seeing different pictures on attack and defence from Uruguay was a good thing and the guys sharpened up nicely. The match also took place on an artificial pitch, and it was quite cold, two things we will encounter this weekend, so it was the perfect prep for us coming into the tournament.”
Blitzboks’ Pool B fixtures (SA times):
Friday: SA vs New Zealand (10:02pm)
Saturday, SA vs Ireland (3:29am), vs Australia (9:14am)
