VANCOUVER – Springbok Sevens coach Neil Powell feels the biggest challenge to his team at this weekend's Canada Sevens will not be the opponents they face, but rather their own ability to play as a team.
The Blitzboks face Russia, Scotland and New Zealand in Vancouver on Saturday and will contest the sixth tournament in the World Rugby Sevens Series with a number of players running out in BC Place for the first time.
The team’s ability to play as a unit and for the younger players to adapt to the demands of the series will be crucial, the coach believes. More than half of the squad members have a combined total of tournament caps that less than that of Kyle Brown (63), the Blitzboks’ most experienced player. Powell does not mind that.
“The junior players are a week more experienced than last weekend in Las Vegas, so they have another opportunity to improve and contribute,” said Powell.
“The reality is that if I had the likes of Rosko Specman and Werner Kok available, I would have played them. They are not here though and I need to play the youngsters, but I am pleased about that.
“They need to get time on the field to develop as players, and this weekend is a great opportunity not only for them, but for our system as well. We do need to create opportunities to broaden our base and this tournament provides us with that.”
Powell wants results and effort to equal each other this weekend: “We always measure our own effort first, because if that is enough, positive results follow. I think we have prepared well enough, so the only thing left is for us to deliver a performance this weekend that we can be proud of.”
Ability to play as a unit and for younger players to adapt to the demands of @WorldRugby7s crucial at @CanadaSevens, says @Neil5Powell More than half of squad have a combined total of tournament caps that less than that of @kylegbrown(63). @CastleLagerSA @FNBSA @ASICS_ZA pic.twitter.com/tjbdrtWzIx
— Springbok Sevens (@Blitzboks) March 9, 2018
Springbok Sevens team:
Ryan Oosthuizen, Philip Snyman (captain), Dylan Sage, Zain Davids, Ruhan Nel, Kyle Brown, Branco du Preez, Muller du Plessis, Selvyn Davids, Cecil Afrika, Siviwe Soyizwapi, Stedman Gans, Marco Labuschagne , *Replacement player.