Changing of the guard for Blitzboks as side targets SVNS three-peat

Olympic qualification and backing up their past two seasons of table-topping form will be one of many challenges South Africa’s Blitzboks will face as they commence their final preparations for the 2026-27 SVNS Series opener in Dubai.

Men’s head coach Philip Snyman is set to name his 13-man squad on Friday South African time, having spent the last few weeks with a 38-man extended training squad at the program’s headquarters in Stellenbosch.

After handing six players their debuts in the 2025-26 SVNS Series, Snyman is set to dive back into South Africa’s deep pool of talent, with several key stars set to be unavailable for the opening fortnight of action in Dubai and Cape Town.

Impi Visser, Zander Reynders, Jayden Nell and 2025-26 SVNS Series Dream team inclusion Shilton van Wyk are big losses for the Blitzboks, with all currently recovering from injuries and guaranteed to miss the 2026 leg of the season.

Mfundo Ndhlovu and Donavan Don are also unavailable, having departed the squad to link up with the Stormers and Sharks respectively in their 2026-27 United Rugby Championship campaigns.

However, the Blitzbok head coach has plenty of exciting options at his disposal, having pulled talent from the Junior Springboks, many of whom are fresh off winning the 2026 World Rugby U20 Championship earlier this year.

Combined with exciting up-and-comers from the Varsity Cup and players from URC sides, it gives Snyman plenty of options and directions for his side to continue their winning run.

“With Olympic Games qualification determined by the final placings of the 2027 World Championship tournaments, we will make sure we have our best team ready for those events,” Snyman said in a statement.

“To be able to do that, we will use the first six tournaments of the series to build depth and cover in certain crucial positions.

“Most of our established group of players are fit and ready, apart from the four injured players, while we also invited some very exciting younger talents into camp.

“There are a number of players who played for the Junior Springboks over the last two years, while some standouts in the FNB Varsity Cup were also drafted into this group.

“We also have some loan players from the franchises, such as JC Mars from the DHL Stormers, who are training with us.”

Competition will be tight for spots – with Snyman not only managing the 13-man squad for the SVNS campaign, but a second side that will also take part in Dubai’s Invitational Tournament happening the same weekend.

The tournament will serve as a valuable opportunity for players knocking on the tour to have time in the saddle against quality opposition – while also being ready to slot into the main squad for Cape Town should the Blitzboks’ injury woes continue.

“No one in the contracted group is resting on their laurels,” Snyman added. “The new players are pushing hard for more permanent opportunities and that delivers a very competitive environment.

“We have seen in the past how important that tournament is for our younger group as they also have international teams playing in that tournament, and it also gives them a real feel of tournament play.”

The Blitzboks squad will be named on Friday, with the side departing for Dubai on Monday, 23rd November.

Springbok Sevens extended training squad: Christie Grobbelaar, Ryan Oosthuizen, Impi Visser, Zain Davids, Ricardo Duarttee, Quewin Nortje, Ronald Brown, Selvyn Davids, Nabo Sokoyi, Dewald Human, Siviwe Soyizwapi, Shilton van Wyk, David Brits, Grant de Jager, Sebastiaan Jobb, Zander Reynders, Tristan Leyds, Gino Cupido (all capped Blitzboks), Rowan Malgas, Aaron Swartz, Tiaan Fourie, Juan Smith, JC Mars, Marnus Potgieter, Zack von Wielligh, Leachim Adams, Gregan Kerneels, Siya Ndlozi, Kruger van Reenen, Quintin Potgieter, Luan Williams, Jean-Henri Smit, Chijindu Okonta, Lizwe Mtetwa, Ceano Everson, Christiaan Potgieter, Samuel Badenhorst, Jack Benade.