Note to editors: Audio notes of Philip Snyman, Sebastiaan Jobb and Mfundo Ndhlovu can be downloaded here.
Blitzbok head coach Philip Snyman congratulated the Springbok Sevens ‘A’ squad for their effort and application as they claimed the Rugby Africa Sevens Cup in Port Louis on Sunday.
The South Africans won the Mauritius tournament, played at the Labourdonnais Sports Club over the weekend, with a 26-12 victory over Madagascar in the final. Earlier on Sunday, they beat Zimbabwe 19-12 in the semi-finals, and defending champions, Uganda, 26-0 in the quarter-finals.
“This was a good effort, and I am happy with the way the squad applied themselves and executed their duties,” said Snyman.
“We had eight players who are uncapped at HSBC SVNS level and they all fitted into the system and the team as the tournament took shape. We wanted to give those players proper match time as it does take a tournament or three before you are ready for the world series and they responded well.
“The African teams are very physical which is always a tough challenge and then we encountered Madagascar – who play like Fiji with their offloads – in the final, so that was a valuable learning curve for the new players.
“There are other dynamics as well that they had to overcome – how to get going on day two with a sore body, how to plan and adapt for each opponent in the knock-out phases and then how to deliver your best effort in a final. Those are all things they have encountered and will be better because of it.”
Snyman said the tournament was a perfect way to finish off their season: “We finished strong and ticked our boxes here. This was a well-organised event and credit must go to Rugby Africa and the Mauritius Rugby Union for the way the tournament went. We could not have closed out our 2025 season in a better way, knowing that we got so much out of this event.”
Sebastiaan Jobb, one of the team’s co-captains, was equally proud of the effort and said it was a tough tournament.
“The hot conditions and physical approach by the other teams meant that we had to dig deep and apply ourselves and the guys did that really well and that is something everyone in the squad can be proud of,” said Jobb.
“The African teams have a very physical way they play sevens and our guys adapted well to that, something that will be needed when you progress to the world series. So well done to all of them.”
Mfundo Ndhlovu, who co-captained with Jobb, said the approach from management was spot on: “We came into this tournament as if it was part of the world series, with the same programme, detail and feedback and that was valuable for the new players, as they could get a proper understanding of what will be demanded of them once they play for the Blitzboks.
“They have a proper understanding now of what a week and for that matter, a weekend of sevens, are all about and well done to them for getting the details right,” Ndhlovu added.
In the final against Madagascar, South Africa started well and executed their try scoring opportunities, but two long range tries by the Makis kept them in the game.
Jayden Nell opened the scoring after a good, angled run resulted in him breaking the line after two minutes, and when Ricardo Duarttee converted, the lead was 7-0.
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