Cape Town - The American leg of the Sevens World Series is going to be played during the hours when you are either fast asleep or showing off your latest dance moves at your local nightclub.
But it may just be worth a little peek at your television screens at that time to see how the legendary Bryan Habana goes in the Blitzbok jersey in Las Vegas.
Habana, who has only played in two previous Sevens tournaments, is trying to cement a place in the 12-man South African team that will participate at the Olympic Games in Rio in August. But he knows he has got his work cut out for him to try and adapt to the Sevens game, because this Blitzbok team, without the 15-man stars, are the current Commonwealth Games champions.
It’s been tough so far for the Springbok star, but he is apparently taking everything in his stride like the true professional he is. And on Saturday morning we will witness how far he has come since joining the SA Sevens squad, less than two weeks ago.
The Las Vegas action kicks off on Saturday night (SA time), with the Blitzboks facing Canada at 2.35am, followed by Wales at 5.58am. They play their last group match, against the USA, at 0.30am on Monday morning, with the quarter-final matches to follow thereafter.
The South Africans will be looking to bounce back after losing to New Zealand in the Wellington final, before going down in the semis in Sydney a week later where they finished fourth.
The Blitzboks are in a three-way tie at top of the World Rugby Sevens Series standings with Fiji and New Zealand on 69. But they will be boosted by the return of experienced campaigners like captain Kyle Brown, playmaker Cecil Afrika, Branco du Preez and Justin Geduld, who have all recovered from their respective injuries.
Apart from the North American threat in their pool, coach Neil Powell says that discipline will be a key focus area for them in Las Vegas.
“Intensity and discipline are two of the areas that we basically had a look at and said it is important, especially in the knockout stages. It cost us some tournaments and some games in the past,” said Powell. “Our focus going into the knockout stages is to be more disciplined and trying not to give away cards in the knock-out stages, because it will cost you.”
Brown, who last played in December in Cape Town, said it was a wonderful feeling to be back in the mix.
“It’s such a privilege to be part of this team again and hopefully we will be able to maintain the momentum here in Vegas,” he said.
Blitzboks squad for Las Vegas and Vancouver:
Chris Dry, Dylan Sage, Tim Agaba, Kwagga Smith, Bryan Habana, Kyle Brown (captain), Branco du Preez, Rosko Specman, Justin Geduld, Cecil Afrika, Seabelo Senatla, Ruhan Nel, Ryan Kankowski
Cape Argus