LONDON - The encouraging blend of youth and experience will aid the Blitzboks in their quest to win the London Sevens this weekend, according to captain Philip Snyman.
The skipper is a two-time World Rugby Sevens Series champion, has been on the podium at the Olympic Games and captains the Springboks Sevens squad - South Africa's current Sports Team of the Year.
A second World Series title in as many years is something the Blitzboks are aiming for in the next two weeks as the series reaches the last two legs in England and Paris respectively.
The South Africans trail Fiji by four points and need to overhaul the high-flying South Sea side to maintain their status as the top side in the world. Top of the podium at Twickenham on Sunday will be a great start and Snyman, playing in his 53rd World Series tournament, feels it can be done given the make-up of the Blitzboks squad.
"We have a number of old hands who have been here before, some exciting younger faces with their energy, and then off course, we have Seabelo Senatla back for the last two tournaments," Snyman said. "So there is a nice balance in the squad."
Snyman himself is back after missing the Hong Kong and Singapore tournaments, and he believes the Blitzboks will deliver a very competitive effort.
"Guys like Ruhan (Nel), Justin (Geduld) and Branco (du Preez) missed those tournaments, so like myself, are very keen to get back and contribute," the Blitzboks skipper added.
"We are delighted to have Seabelo back and watching him at training in the last week or so, he is ready to go. He was a World Sevens Player of the Year and it is clear why, so we have a lot of confidence in his abilities."
The 31-year-old has worn the captaincy armband for the last two seasons, and with six tournament wins in that time, he knows how to motivate his troops.
He is back and wants to make a difference. @Seabelo_Senatla on returning to the Blitzbok squad for the last two tournaments of the season. @CastleLagerSA @ASICS_ZA @FNBSA pic.twitter.com/LCoi5DYhZ9
— Springbok Sevens (@Blitzboks) May 31, 2018
"One basically has to make sure everyone is focussed on the process and what we want to achieve as a unit. If everyone ticks his own boxes, we can be a very competitive team," Snyman said.
"It is time to go out and do the business. We want to go out there and play the rugby that we know we can, enjoy the moment and play with a smile on our faces."
World Series log standings top five:
1. Fiji 145
2. South Africa 141
3. New Zealand 120
4. Australia 108
5. USA 9