‘Got a target on our back’: Blitzboks eye SVNS World Championship crown

South Africa captain Impi Visser insists the HSBC SVNS World Championship leaders aren’t feeling any added pressure ahead of the season finale in Bordeaux. The Blitzboks hold a four-point lead on the overall standings leading into the event at Stade Atlantique on June 5 to 7. 

Australia took out their first men’s SVNS title in more than 1,300 days when they fought their way back to beat South Africa 26-19 in the Valladolid Cup Final. Shilton van Wyk helped the Blitzboks race out to a 14-0 lead early, but Henry Hutchison led Australia’s comeback. 

But even in defeat, the Blitzboks improved their position at the top of the standings. If the Blitzboks qualify for the Cup Final on Sunday, they will become guaranteed World Championship winners before taking the field for the last time this season. 

Argentina and Australia round out the top three in the World Championship race, with six teams mathematically still in contention for the crown. Fiji, Spain and New Zealand are a chance but South Africa are the team to beat.

“Every conversation we have back home, this big carrot is hanging over our head that we’re leading and have got a target on our back, but ultimately we’re going to have to put that aside this weekend,” Visser told RugbyPass in Bordeaux. 

“I don’t think it gives any added pressure; I just think it gives us freedom to play to our full potential. Whatever happens this weekend happens, and we can just focus on things that we can control; how we approach every game, the process that we go through and how we prepare.” 

The Blitzboks have had a chance to reflect on the defeat to Australia in Spain, which couldn’t have started much better for the ladder-leaders. Van Wyk and Sebastiaan Jobb both touched down for a try inside the first three minutes, as the Boks took a commanding lead. 

South Africa had won four consecutive Cup Finals over a period of about 70 days, which included a first-ever title at the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens. But the Aussies clawed their way back, denying the Blitzboks more silverware deep in the campaign. 

James Turner and Ethan McFarland helped level the score going into half-time, before Ben Dowling and Hutchison added to Australia’s lead in the second term. Gino Cupido made it a one-score game with less than one minute left, but the Aussies did enough in the end. 

“We just try and figure out the aspects of the game where we fell short. I think what Australia did well was once they got ball possession they held onto it quite well,” Visser said. 

“They played the game quite simple; taking the ball wide, giving it to the big runners, punching. it up, sucking in defenders and ultimately breaking down our defence system. 

“I think we started off quite well against them but then obviously we couldn’t maintain that lead. Then some errors cost us in that game as well, and then a little too late trying to come back. 

“If you look at the theme of our weekend, I don’t think we’re up to our full potential, what we usually play at. There were some aspects where we were really poor, and at times we were really great as well.  

“For us it’s just trying to get back to finding that consistency of showing up every game, doing the small things.” 

Kenya are looking to hold their place in the top eight, which would see them earn core status for the 2026/27 SVNS 1 season. Then, South Africa round out pool play against Fiji, who were the second best men’s team throughout the regularseaosn. 

“Definitely a tough pool. I don’t think any of the pools are easy. 

“We’ve got GB first. We know they’re a side that gives us some up-hill battles in the past and we’re going to have be very clinical against them. 

“Kenya’s always a great, physical battle. ‘Battle of the Africans’ as you can call it. Then last we’ve got Fiji.  

“It’s going to be a tough weekend for us starting out but if we just stick to the things we do well, I’m sure we’ll be successful.”