Champion Blitzboks won’t rest on laurels

The Springbok Sevens want to finish the 2016-17 season with a tournament win at the London Sevens this weekend.

The Blitzboks clinched the overall series title by winning the Paris Sevens last weekend, but remain motivated to win the 10th and last tournament of the season.

'We are still playing for what that Springbok on the chest represents,' said Ruhan Nel. 'That means 100% dedication and commitment, 100% of the time. Nothing has changed because we won the series, we are still the same team who want to make the country proud and do the system justice.

'The pressure has been relieved a bit knowing that we have won the overall series, but we still want to finish well, as that was one of our objectives from the start. The guys are in a good space now.'

Nel, who was one of the leading tacklers in Paris, says the team structure allows players to be at their best.

'For me to make those tackles it meant that I felt my back was covered and that is what we are hoping to do as a team,' explained Nel, who is in line to play in his 100th match for the Blitzboks in London. 'Everyone will be stepped or beaten, but knowing there will be someone to back you up gives the confidence to go in hard.'

Siviwe Soyizwapi echoed Nel's sentiments.

'After that great tournament in Paris where we improved game by game and then clinched the title and the overall series, the guys are really feeling good. Having said that, it will not mean anything come this weekend. We will have to start over again and again play to the standards we have set.

'We will have a very tough pool,' added Soyizwapi, who has scored 25 tries this season. 'Kenya, Wales and the USA are all class teams and they will not make it easy for us. We will have to stick to our process and structures to be successful.'

Photo: Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images

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