The Blitzboks returned from Dubai knowing they had work to do, and with the Cape Town leg of the SVNS Series just days away, the mood in the camp has shifted from frustration to fierce determination, Cape {town} Etc reports.
Their title defence got off to an unsteady start in the opening tournament, where a rocky run through Pool A left them scrambling for a respectable finish rather than challenging for top honours.
South Africa’s weekend began with two disappointing pool losses, leaving them with only one win to show from the opening stage. Forced out of championship contention, the squad spent the remainder of the tournament fighting for pride. Victory over Great Britain followed by another over Spain steadied the ship, securing a fifth-place finish and banking 12 log points, hardly the result a defending champion expects.
Ricardo Duarttee made no secret of how deflating Saturday’s slip-ups felt. Touching down at Cape Town International Airport, he described the tournament as one that got away from them. The sweeper explained that by Sunday the team had regrouped, restored some belief and managed to salvage something from a shaky weekend. But the losses to Fiji and Argentina still stung.
What lifts Duarttee now is the chance to put things right in front of a home crowd. He remembers vividly how the Blitzboks stormed to glory at DHL Stadium last season, delivering only their second home triumph since the Cape Town event made its debut in 2015. It’s a memory he is desperate to recreate.
Cape {town} Etc Discount Alert!
Unlock Cape Town’s best experiences for half the price! From unforgettable adventures to hidden gems and mouthwatering restaurants, these limited-time deals won’t last long. Snag your discount before they’re gone!
Cape Town, he says, brings something different out of the squad. The atmosphere, the support, the noise, everything hits harder. And with 20 tournaments behind him, he is adamant the team cannot afford to let another opportunity slip away. The jersey, he insists, demands better.
Duarttee’s own performances last season may have placed him among the standout runners on the circuit, but he is clear that individual stats mean nothing this week. The focus is on restoring pride in the Springbok Sevens badge and delivering the kind of rugby South African fans expect on home soil.
Their task will not be an easy one. The pool draw has handed them a brutal path, placing New Zealand, fresh off their Dubai title, alongside Fiji and Great Britain in Pool A. For Duarttee, that challenge is exactly what they need. A chance to correct mistakes, to set the tone for the season and to show what the Blitzboks can really do when the pressure is on.
He believes the crowd can make the difference and urged supporters to pack DHL Stadium for their only home appearance of the campaign.
‘This weekend is massive,’ he said. ‘We need the people behind us. It’s our moment to put things right.’
Be the first to know – Join our WhatsApp Channel for content worth tapping into! Click here to join!
Also read:
Fujifilm Instax Undisputed Breaking World Championship returns to Cape Town
Picture: David Van Der Sandt / Gallo Images
