The Blitzboks celebrate their first-ever Cup final victory at the Hong Kong SVNS this past weekend. They will enjoy a break before the hard work starts for the second World Championship tournament in Spain next month.
Image: Zach Franzen / World Rugby
Rest and recovery are on the cards for the Blitzboks, but not before they complete their Schengen visas on Thursday morning ahead of the next SVNS World Championship tournament in Valladolid in May.
The Springbok Sevens received a heroes’ welcome at Cape Town International Airport on Wednesday following their exploits in Hong Kong this past weekend, where they won the event for the first time in its 50-year history. With the victory, they also took one step closer to reclaiming the championship they won last season.
Now, two more events await in Spain next month and Bordeaux, France in June.
After claiming the Hong Kong title, the South Africans are poised to continue their success as they look to become the first side to win both the regular SVNS Series and the Championship in one season.
However, resetting will be key, and that is why head coach Philip Snyman will give his troops a week off before they begin preparations for the Spanish trip.
"To win the tournament for the first time in the 50 years that it has been going is amazing, but it is even more special to celebrate with the players who were back home and helped us prepare for Hong Kong," Snyman said.
"For now, the guys will be taking a well-deserved break and, when we come back, we will start the work from scratch. The most important thing I learned from the Hong Kong tournament is that we cannot go into it complacent. We made things difficult on the first day.
"It taught us valuable lessons, especially looking at things we must get right before we head to the next event of the Championship. We are also waiting on some medical reports on certain players, but a few hungry guys were left at home."
Snyman added that some Blitzboks will also return from injury. Workhorse forward Christie Grobbelaar is one of them, and he will be keen to put his best foot forward over the next couple of weeks to impress the coach.
Veteran Dewald Human is another player making his way back from injury who could add valuable experience to the side.
"The competition between the players ahead of Spain will be important for us when we get back to the training field. For now, we are enjoying the spoils of Hong Kong. However, when we get going with the preparation again, that must be put behind us. The mindset must be there to start focusing on the next tournament.
"Overall, we are happy with where we are currently and are looking forward to what comes next."