Drawn in Pool A alongside Uruguay, Spain and Argentina, South Africa arrive in Hong Kong on the back of a strong season in the SVNS Series, where they claimed four tournament victories to lift the league title.
Image: World Rugby
Springbok Sevens speedster Quewin Nortje says the intensity of the Blitzboks’ training at their Stellenbosch base has prepared him for the pressure of the Hong Kong Sevens tournament next weekend, where the team begin their World Championship campaign.
The league winners have been drawn in Pool A alongside Uruguay, Spain and Argentina for the opening leg of the HSBC SVNS World Championship series at Kai Tak Sports Park, marking one of the most eagerly anticipated stops on the global sevens calendar.
For Nortje, who is returning to the squad after a stop-start year disrupted by injuries, simply being back in the travelling group already feels like a victory.
“It is great to be part of the playing squad again and going to Hong Kong makes all the hiccups earlier in the year worth it,” said the 23-year-old. “It remains one of the most sought-after tournaments for us.”
He believes the high-performance culture at home has been key to keeping standards high, even before the team lands on the global stage.
“A training session at home is as tough as any match we play,” Nortje said. “Add the heat in Stellenbosch and the fact we have at least 20 guys eager to make the team for the next event, it is a really competitive environment.”
He added that the internal competition fuels unity rather than division, with players pushing each other while sharing the rewards of selection as head coach Philip Snyman continues to build impressive depth in the Bok Sevens ranks.
“A win for the guys on tour is a win for the guys at home as well,” he said.
The Blitzboks arrive in Hong Kong with strong momentum that bodes well for a first win there, after winning four of the six HSBC SVNS Series tournaments this season, but Nortje insists the World Championship represents a fresh start.
Among those who have driven South Africa’s campaign are Shilton van Wyk, who topped the points (90) and try-scoring charts (18) in the regular season, while Ricardo Duarttee (72 points) and Ronald Brown (61) have also been key contributors.
Donavan Don, Sebastiaan Jobb and Tristan Leyds have also added attacking firepower and guile to the Blitzboks, while defensively they have been anchored by standout efforts from Ryan Oosthuizen, Selvyn Davids, and skipper Impi Visser.
Despite their impressive stats, Nortje says the squad is focused on resetting quickly as they head into one of the sport’s most iconic venues, where expectation and atmosphere traditionally collide.