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Ryan Oosthuizen controls the ball during the SA men’s Sevens’ team training session at Stellenbosch Academy of Sport on Friday. Picture: GALLO IMAGES/ASHLEY VLOTMAN
It took them a little more than 30 hours to get from Cape Town to Vancouver, but for the Springbok Sevens, it is all part of the job and uncomfortable travel will not deter their ambition to deliver a winning performance in Canada this weekend.
That is the view of Blitzbok stalwart Ryan Oosthuizen after the squad arrived in British Columbia for the HSBC SVNS Vancouver, the fourth of eight tournaments in the 2024 season.
Oosthuizen said the good work done back home in Stellenbosch had given them confidence to improve on their fifth-place finish in Perth in January.
“It was a long time travelling and one does feel cramped in after a while, adding to a long layover in Frankfurt, but we are here now, and the focus will be on how to get the job done this weekend.
“At least the temperature is down from the heat in Stellenbosch, so that is a good start,” the 46-tournament veteran said.
“We are an experienced group, so by now we understand the routine of recovering from a long-haul flight such as this and how to combat the effects of jet lag.
“We are playing on Friday already, so the recovery is key.”
Oosthuizen said everyone was aware of the importance of the next two tournaments of the series, with good performances at BC Place and in Los Angeles next weekend important to stay in the hunt for the overall title.
SA is in fourth position (42 points) alongside Ireland, behind Australia and Fiji (44), with Argentina (58) topping the log.
“We realise we need to deliver on this trip,” Oosthuizen said.
“I am confident we will, we worked hard at home, have good experience in the squad and some players are in very good form for us, so that all points to a competitive showing.”
The Blitzbok forward is outranked in experience by only Justin Geduld, who makes a return to the squad after being rested for the Australian leg of the series.
Geduld, who has played 56 SVNS tournaments for SA, said there was confidence in the camp, despite a tough pool draw against New Zealand, Ireland and Britain.
Geduld said he loved playing in Canada: “This is a nice tournament and I love coming here, despite the cold.
“The rest gave me a good boost, I worked hard in that time and will be ready to deliver my best this weekend.
“Every time you are not selected, it hurts, even though the rest was good for me.
“Everyone in the squad is keen to play this weekend and that bodes well. There is a good mood among the guys and when we are in a happy place, we always play well.”
For Geduld, the variety of skills in the squad should bring results. “We have a wide variety of skills and everyone in the squad is keen to deliver this weekend. If that happens, we will be a tough team to beat.”
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Expect determined Blitzbok effort in Vancouver
Well-prepared SA confident hard work will pay off
It took them a little more than 30 hours to get from Cape Town to Vancouver, but for the Springbok Sevens, it is all part of the job and uncomfortable travel will not deter their ambition to deliver a winning performance in Canada this weekend.
That is the view of Blitzbok stalwart Ryan Oosthuizen after the squad arrived in British Columbia for the HSBC SVNS Vancouver, the fourth of eight tournaments in the 2024 season.
Oosthuizen said the good work done back home in Stellenbosch had given them confidence to improve on their fifth-place finish in Perth in January.
“It was a long time travelling and one does feel cramped in after a while, adding to a long layover in Frankfurt, but we are here now, and the focus will be on how to get the job done this weekend.
“At least the temperature is down from the heat in Stellenbosch, so that is a good start,” the 46-tournament veteran said.
“We are an experienced group, so by now we understand the routine of recovering from a long-haul flight such as this and how to combat the effects of jet lag.
“We are playing on Friday already, so the recovery is key.”
Oosthuizen said everyone was aware of the importance of the next two tournaments of the series, with good performances at BC Place and in Los Angeles next weekend important to stay in the hunt for the overall title.
SA is in fourth position (42 points) alongside Ireland, behind Australia and Fiji (44), with Argentina (58) topping the log.
“We realise we need to deliver on this trip,” Oosthuizen said.
“I am confident we will, we worked hard at home, have good experience in the squad and some players are in very good form for us, so that all points to a competitive showing.”
The Blitzbok forward is outranked in experience by only Justin Geduld, who makes a return to the squad after being rested for the Australian leg of the series.
Geduld, who has played 56 SVNS tournaments for SA, said there was confidence in the camp, despite a tough pool draw against New Zealand, Ireland and Britain.
Geduld said he loved playing in Canada: “This is a nice tournament and I love coming here, despite the cold.
“The rest gave me a good boost, I worked hard in that time and will be ready to deliver my best this weekend.
“Every time you are not selected, it hurts, even though the rest was good for me.
“Everyone in the squad is keen to play this weekend and that bodes well. There is a good mood among the guys and when we are in a happy place, we always play well.”
For Geduld, the variety of skills in the squad should bring results. “We have a wide variety of skills and everyone in the squad is keen to deliver this weekend. If that happens, we will be a tough team to beat.”
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