The Springbok Sevens team, also known as the Blitzboks, are adopting a focused “tournament mode” strategy for the Cape Town Sevens this weekend to manage the heightened pressure of playing on home soil. New coach Philip Snyman, who has experienced the highs and lows of the Cape Town tournament as a player, has implemented a unique approach this year. Instead of allowing players to stay at home and visit their families during the event, the team will maintain a centralized and distraction-free environment. This shift aims to ensure their full attention remains on rugby.
This strategy aligns with the increased stakes introduced by World Rugby’s new format. The tournament now features four groups of three teams, with only the group winners advancing to the semifinals. This format heightens the level of jeopardy, leaving no room for error for teams with championship ambitions. For the Blitzboks, the challenge is particularly tough as they are placed in a challenging pool with strong competitors Ireland and Argentina. Winning every game in their pool is crucial for their title hopes.
In other matches, the Fiji men’s team is scheduled to face Uruguay at 12:38 am on Sunday, followed by a match against Great Britain at 4:19 am. Meanwhile, the Fijiana women’s team will play against the USA at 7 pm on Saturday and later face Great Britain at 10:16 pm. These matches mark critical moments for the teams as they aim for success under the tournament’s intense format.