Coach Neil Powell’s imminent exit and a lack of experienced players in the current Blitzbok squad are contributing to their underperformance this season, according to Powell’s predecessor Paul Treu.

Treu handed over the reins of the Springbok Sevens to Powell in 2013. This season, after four tournament wins in a row during one of the longest unbeaten runs in sevens history, the Blitzboks have slumped to second in the 2021-22 World Sevens Series standings leading up to the penultimate round in England.

Speaking to Sport24, Treu suggested the team may be battling mentally with the adjustment of losing Powell to the Sharks at the end of the season.

“I think there are multiple factors contributing to their performances of late and it’s not looking good even when a new coach takes over,” said Treu, who guided the Blitzboks to their maiden world title in 2008-09.

READ: Hendrikse call-up spotlights bizarre Blitzboks

“Neil’s departure might have an impact and they have very young players. I am not sure if [it definitely] is having an effect but it seems like they lack players who were the custodians of the culture, and the inexperience [factor] might be a challenge.

“Besides Branco [du Preez], it leaves them with none of the players who created the culture.

“They have the staff who were part of that transformation, but I am not sure if we will enjoy future success after he has moved to the Sharks. I might be wrong because our sevens team always steps up when required.

“The same happened to me the year I left,” he added.

“We also struggled and eventually started to win again towards the end. We finished second that year [behind champions New Zealand]. Their challenge will be a mental one as opposed to structure and whether they have the capacity to turn it around. I am sure we will do enough to win the series this year.”

MORE: Blitzboks boss: It’s as if we’ve forgotten how to play