Snyman name checks returning star as Blitzboks claim Perth SVNS

Philip Snyman hailed the Springbok Sevens side’s response and resilience after the Blitzboks edged Fiji 21-19 to win the HSBC SVNS Perth title at HBF Park on Sunday, a result that keeps their overall series ambitions firmly alive.

The victory was a sharp rebound from last weekend’s fourth-place finish in Singapore and leaves South Africa just four log points behind Fiji heading into the final legs of the series in Vancouver and Los Angeles next month.

“It was massive for us to finish the tour like this,” said Snyman.

“We brought a couple of youngsters with us on tour, made a semi-final in Singapore and won in Perth, so the results were great and on top of that, we have given more players the experience and exposure on the circuit. So overall, I am very happy and proud.”

Snyman highlighted the impact of Sebastiaan Jobb, who returned to the squad after more than a year away, alongside first-time caps for Luan Giliomee and Renaldo Young.

“We talk about competitive excellence and Jobb is a good example of that,” said Snyman.

“He brought a lot of energy and scored some crucial tries for us, while also making important tackles and turnovers. If we can have three players in each position pushing each other, we will be in a good space.

“We had Impi Visser, Dewald Human, Ronald Brown, Selvyn Davids, Quewin Nortje and Gino Cupido either resting or recovering from injury back home, so we needed the younger players to get this experience and all will be better because of it.”

The Blitzbok coach said clear improvements were made after issues identified in Singapore, particularly around control and execution.

“We had to keep the ball for longer, we needed to improve our strike rate in the oppositions 22, and we needed to create pressure points on defence, forcing turnovers and then striking,” he said.

“We did all of those this weekend, so I am happy we could turn it around and played with much more control and precision.”

Snyman added that discipline and composure were decisive in the final.

“In both our last two defeats, in Singapore and yesterday in the pool, we had two players in the sin bin and that was just not going to help us in a tight match against an attacking team like Fiji.

“In the final though, we kept our composure and kept the pressure up. They did come back after we scored two early tries, but the players stuck to their guns and the bench also made the necessary impact to keep them out for three minutes. That was a special performance, and everyone can be very proud of that effort.

“Our aim for the series is to be consistent and make semi-finals. We won two tournaments and made one semi-final, so we are on track with that objective.

“That said, hard work awaits once we get back home to make sure we keep up those standards. It was a good trip, and we are thankful for all the support we received from the crowds and well as the supporters back home.”