SA Rugby magazine

South African rugby news, interviews, videos and more. Covering the Springboks, Bulls, Stormers, Sharks, Cheetahs and Lions, as well as schools and club rugby.

Primary Menu Search
  • Home
  • Match Centre
  • Vodacom URC
  • Videos
  • Cars
    • Cheap cars for sale
    • Used Cars For Sale
    • New Cars For Sale
    • Demo Cars For Sale
  • Daddy’s Deals
  • SASoccermag
You are here: Home ∼ Kok: Strength in depth did it for Blitzboks

Kok: Strength in depth did it for Blitzboks

Werner Kok with Muller du Plessis, JC Pretorius & Sako Makata Werner_Kok_Muller_du_Plessis_JC_Pretorius_Sako_Makata_Blitzboks
Published on March 3, 2020

Werner Kok has attributed the Blitzboks’ stunning 29-24 LA Sevens Cup final win over Fiji to great depth in the Springbok Sevens set-up.

Down 19-0 at one point and needing to score two tries in the last 30 seconds of the match, the Blitzboks completed a miracle comeback to stun Fiji 29-24 to be crowned LA Sevens champions.

#MondayMorningMotivation brought to you by the #Blitzboks pic.twitter.com/X8IV4hPAym

— Springbok Sevens (@Blitzboks) March 2, 2020

It was truly a team effort with both veterans and youngsters making valuable contributions to get over the line.

Reflecting on what transpired in Los Angeles, Kok – who played in his 50th World Sevens Series tournament and was also part of the team who launched a similar comeback against the same opposition in Singapore last year – praised the high-quality player pool at coach Neil Powell’s disposal.

‘Our depth is amazing – we have so many young players in the system who are playing so well,’ Kok said.

‘We had some very experienced guys in the squad, such as Branco du Preez, Chris Dry, Cecil Afrika and myself, but the younger players’ talents are amazing. They are really playing well and the results are there to prove it.’

At the moment, the Springbok Sevens team is without the services of veterans Seabelo Senatla, Rosko Specman, Dylan Sage, Ruhan Nel and Kwagga Smith, who all made the switch to 15s rugby, as well as Siviwe Soyizwapi, Justin Geduld (both injured) and Zain Davids (rested). South Africa also lost former captains Kyle Brown and Philip Snyman in quick succession in recent months, with the duo retiring from the game.

And yet, the Blitzboks remain one of the top-three most consistent teams in the world, along with New Zealand and Fiji, both teams who have yet to proof they can deal with such a massive player drain.

Kok believes the youngsters who have been elevated from the academy to the senior squad have proven that they belong and can hold their own against the best teams in the world.

‘These younger guys are all keen to be part of the squad for the Olympic Games and they are really laying down a marker. That is good news, not only for the Olympics, but also the rest of the World Series,’ said Kok.

It has become a bit of a tradition to celebrate a win in the US with @inandoutburger. A double double. With a shake. A bit of indulging but for now we enjoy the moment. Tomorrow it will be back to work again for @CanadaSevens . pic.twitter.com/iwraTpuXQ4

— Springbok Sevens (@Blitzboks) March 2, 2020


Photo: @Blitzboks/Twitter

Posted in Blitzboks, News, Sevens, Top headlines Tagged blitzboks, Fiji, Los Angeles Sevens, New Zealand, sevens, Werner Kok, World Sevens Series

Post by SA Rugby magazine

SA Rugby magazine

← Previous Next →

Roos puts heat on Wiese to torch Dragons

Wales are first on the menu for the Springboks in 2022 and,...

SA rugby’s Cinderella men deserve a shot

The 2022 Currie Cup final being decided by the country’s smaller unions...

Gelant too good to ignore

Damian Willemse and Frans Steyn won't play in the first Test between...

The case for Jesse Kriel

Jesse Kriel's experience and versatility make him a big asset for the...

Rassie auditions for England job

Rassie Erasmus has made the most calculated of public job applications to...

Boks need to make mentality adjustment

The Springboks need to lose their underdog mentality, writes SIMNIKIWE XABANISA in...

Kolbe’s worth every penny

Cheslin Kolbe’s big-money move to Toulon should be welcomed as a massive...

‘Bok gameplan, when executed correctly, is hard to match’

The opportunity to play against the All Blacks is a career highlight...

Five key areas the Boks need to dominate for first victory

SA Rugby magazine highlights five crucial areas the Boks will need to...

Top six: Best and worst foreign imports

SARugbymag.co.za identifies six of the best and worst foreign players to play...

Column: When context is needed

As highlighted by the Argentina controversy, ‘cancel culture’ needs a spoonful of...

Dark cloud hangs over WP Rugby

The problems at Western Province Rugby are layered, and everyone involved needs...

From the mag: Foreign Favourites

As Vodacom Super Rugby turned 25 this year, JON CARDINELLI picks an...

Bulls rookies to watch

After a massive exodus of players the Vodacom Bulls will be eager...

Analysis: The new suffocate-and-strangle game

For the Boks to emerge as World Cup winners, they need to...

VIEW MORE
  • Wounded Wallabies edge England
  • All Blacks demolish Ireland in series opener
  • Pumas clinch maiden Currie Cup title
  • Pumas stun Cheetahs to book spot in final

Dewald Potgieter’s Perfect XV

  • Watch: What a cracking hit!


COVID-19 Corona Virus
South African Resource Portal

African Insider
African Insider News

ABOUT

  • Contact us
  • Competitions
  • Videos
  • Player Features
  • Subscribe
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy Policy

TOURNAMENTS

    • Rugby Championship
    • Super Rugby
    • Currie Cup
    • Varsity Cup
    • Gold Cup
    • Schools
    • Six Nations
    • Champions Cup
    • World Cup

OPINION

  • Mallett on SuperSport
  • Cardinelli column
  • Lewis column
  • Xabanisa column
  • Borchardt column
  • Superbru

Primary Menu

  • Home
  • Match Centre
  • Vodacom URC
  • Videos
  • Cars
    • Cheap cars for sale
    • Used Cars For Sale
    • New Cars For Sale
    • Demo Cars For Sale
  • Daddy’s Deals
  • SASoccermag