HSBC SVNS Singapore: Blitzbok captain Soyizwapi prioritises process over milestones

Blitzbok captain Siviwe Soyizwapi could become the record holder for most tries at the National Stadium this weekend, but he won't be chasing milestones at the HSBC SVNS Singapore. Instead, he will be focused on maintaining the standards the team set by winning the last leg of the world series in  Cape Town, and on ensuring that the younger players in the team play with confidence.  

"We have a balanced side, but we are short of experience and will be tested with our key playmakers not here. For the experienced core, our role will be to make sure those new guys settle in and play the game they were selected for,” said Soyizwapi as he posed for the traditional captains photo.

They are not here by luck; they are here because they have the talent and the opportunity to show that."

Soyizwapi makes a return to the side for the first time since the HSBC SVNS World Championship in Los Angeles in May last year, as a replacement for Impi Visser, who is rested.  

With 25 tries to his name, the 25-year-old forward could pass the current tournament try-scoring record of USA wing Perry Baker (29) in his ninth appearance in Singapore, but would rather make sure the Springbok Sevens are in tune with the game plan and execution.

Their first challenges will be facing Spain, Great Britain, and Fiji in the pool stage on Saturday.

“With only eight teams, pools are very similar from one tournament to the next, so for us consistency is very important,” Soyizwapi said.

“We need to find that groove against Spain in the first game, then keep building against Great Britain and hopefully have our game perfect when we face Fiji. If we can do that, it will be a good weekend. We expect each game to be tough, so will come prepared.”

The Blitzboks top the world series standings after two tournaments, and will be keen to build on their success in Cape Town in December.

“It is a bit of both restart and continuing what we started. It might be a new year, but it is still the same season, so we can benefit from the work we put in last year," Soyizwapi said.

“The restart part comes with us understanding that the first two tournaments do not mean anything this weekend, we will still have to lay the foundation for the tournament in the very first game.

“We can always draw inspiration from Cape Town, as we can from our amazing win here in 2019 when we came from behind to beat Fiji for the title. That was one for the books and will always inspire us.”