Zander Reynders: 'We need to go out again and do it from scratch'

Blitzboks forward Zander Reynders expects every match to offer a stern challenge in Singapore.

Ahead of the latest round of HSBC SVNS Series action, South Africa are looking to carry the momentum of their Cape Town victory into the season’s first stop in Asia this weekend.

Named in Pool A with Great Britain, Spain and Fiji, the 25-year-old is not taking home success last time out for granted.

“With only eight teams playing over six tournaments, you are going to play each team a couple of times, so one knows what to expect a bit more,” said Reynders.

“The margins are going to be small and even our opening game could be seen as a quarter-final, such is the competitiveness of the series. What we do know is that Cape Town’s performances will not help us in Singapore, we need to go out again and do it from scratch.”

Singapore has not been a particularly happy hunting ground for the Blitzboks since the leg’s introduction in 2002.

Two-time winners of the tournament (in 2004 and 2019), Reynders and his teammates travel to Asia hoping to vanquish the memories of their ninth-place finish last year.

With the aim of doing so, Philip Snyman has called on the vast experience of Siviwe Soyizwapi and handed Series debuts to Renaldo Young and Luan Giliomee.

Ahead of the team’s departure, Reynders has been keen to cast a watchful eye over the duo.

“I was a rookie in the side last year, so I know what the things are that could affect a new player when on tour the first time, like where to sit at meals,” Reynders said.

“I will try and make it a bit easier by sticking around them. I sat with them during our meal at the Spur and will show them around once we get to the airport on that side, just to make sure they are at ease.”