The Blitzboks perform best under the bright lights and the reigning World Series champions are excited to perform in the Los Angeles Sevens.

Sako Makata scored a sudden-death try to complete a remarkable comeback for South Africa against Fiji in the LA Sevens Cup final back in 2020. Now, on the back of taking gold at the Commonwealth Games, the travel-weary Blitzboks are hungry for more glory.

Narrowly leading Argentina and Australia in the race to be crowned the 2021-22 World Series champions, success in this week’s Los Angeles tournament will have the Blitzboks beating their closest rivals to the finish line.

Makata, who will be making his 16th tournament appearance, says a heavy travel schedule won’t dampen the Blitzboks’ high spirits.

“We will be ready,” Makata said after arriving in Los Angeles. “It took us over 20 hours of travelling to get here, we have hardly eaten and not showered, so we are probably a bit weary, but we are ready to go.

“The fact that the last time we were here finished in our favour in such dramatic fashion is a fond memory, but now it is time for a new one and we are pretty determined to finish the job here.

“There is a lot on the line during this tournament. I believe it is going to be a mental challenge as much as a physical one to come out on top. That said, it is an exciting challenge; it is going to be a good one.”

The Blitzboks have been drawn in a tough Pool B alongside USA, Canada and New Zealand and they begin their quest for the LA Cup on Saturday night with a match against the hosts in the tournament opener.

Blitzboks Day 1 schedule (SA times):
Saturday, 6:20pm vs USA
Saturday, 9:26pm vs Canada
Sunday, 12:59am vs New Zealand

Photo: Twitter/@Blitzboks