Blitzboks flying high after desert dogfight

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Sandile Ngcobo and Siviwe Soyizwapi have described South Africa’s latest triumph in Dubai as massively humbling, but also much needed for the Springbok Sevens.

The Blitzboks made it an impressive four titles on the spin in Dubai with a resounding victory over Ireland on Saturday. The tournament win also saw South Africa jump to the top of the World Rugby Sevens Series log alongside Australia.

“I actually have no words,” Ngcobo said after the Blitzboks’ 21-5 victory over Ireland in only his second tournament as coach.

“This is massive for our system and so rewarding for the hard work we have done. It is also a reward for the massive fight inside this group of players.

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“There are so many things in the lead-up to a tournament like this that people will never see – how a group of players get together and work so hard for each other in order to be ready when the battle starts. This win will mean so much for our system and justified the fight the guys showed for each other,” Ngcobo explained.

“The effort we showed, that true example of fighting for each other, is what is making me so proud of this effort. I think we are 70% on potential at this stage, so there is still room for improvement and that will keep us honest.”

Ngcobo said Friday’s win over Australia in the pool A decider  was as important as the Saturday matches because it gave his team the belief that they can compete against any team.

“They are such a composed team and another that really play for each other, so to trump them was a huge boost for us. We needed to fight, again, but we showed the courage of character of the badge and the jersey and that drove us,” he added.

Skipper ‘Shakes’ Soyizwapi said SA desperately needed the win in Dubai: “We dug ourselves into a bit of a hole over the last couple of months, so this comes at a very appropriate time for us.

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“We worked hard back home and challenged each other and what the system demands of everyone. I would say this win came from hard work from within in our group.

“This is such a wonderful feeling, we needed the result to justify the effort and it did. You have to play 100% at 100% of the time.”

The South Africans return to Cape Town on Sunday and with their home tournament, the popular Cape Town Sevens les than a week away, the Blitzboks captain made a passionate plea to local fans to come out and support the team.

“This is our tournament and we want to repeat this [winning achievement] in front of a packed stadium. We only get that one chance a year to play in front of our family, friends and supporters, so we want to make it special,” he said.

Photo: @Blitzboks/Twitter

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Devin Hermanus