News24 | Blitzboks go again with ‘target on our backs’

Zain Davids

David van der Sandt/Gallo Images

• The Blitzboks enter the new World Rugby Sevens season full of confidence following a successful campaign.
• The new season starts at the end of the month in Dubai.
• The home leg will once again be staged at Cape Town Stadium in December.
• For more rugby news, visit our dedicated section.

Despite the many successes the Blitzboks have achieved over the past two seasons, there is no danger of the team getting carried away.

That is the assurance from Zain Davids, one of the most experienced forwards in the national squad, ahead of the 2026-27 SVNS Series season. The opening tournament takes place in Dubai on 28 and 29 November, with the popular Cape Town leg following the weekend after.

“In the leadership group there are quite a few experienced players who have already featured in 35 or more tournaments on the circuit,” Davids said on Monday.

“The younger players look up to those guys and see how they remain humble and put in the hard work every day. The guys who have been around for a long time never think they are bigger than the game or the team.”

The Blitzboks were crowned world champions for a second consecutive season in June. The world title is determined by the team that finishes top of the standings after the final three tournaments in Hong Kong, Valladolid and Bordeaux.

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In addition, South Africa were also crowned league winners last season, having topped the standings after the first six tournaments. To top it all, Davids and his team-mates won five of the nine tournaments last season, including, for a second consecutive season, a tournament victory in front of their home crowd in the Mother City.

“We know all too well that there will be a target on our backs because we are the top team. But knowing that we are the top team also gives us a lot of confidence going into the season. But we know it won’t be easy,” said Davids, who has featured in 60 SVNS Series tournaments.

“The other teams will analyse us even more closely to find where we might be vulnerable. On top of that, it will mean a great deal to other teams if they can get one over on us.”

The 29-year-old Davids, an old boy of Rondebosch Boys’ High School in Cape Town, hopes to help the Blitzboks qualify for the 2028 Olympic Games in the United States during the coming season. He was part of the South African sevens team that won the bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Games.

The added incentive for all teams is that the coming SVNS Series season presents a golden opportunity to qualify for the 2028 Games. According to a World Rugby communiqué, the top four teams on the World Championship standings will qualify automatically. The United States, as hosts, have already secured their place.

The winner of each of the six continental tournaments - in Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, South America and Oceania - will also qualify. The 12th and final team will be determined by a last-chance qualifying tournament. It was, in fact, that very route the Blitzboks had to take in 2024 to squeeze through the back door into the Paris Games.

True to form, Davids cracked a joke or two on Monday - this time good-naturedly ribbing the Blitzboks’ backs when asked which areas of his own game he would like to improve.

“As a forward, I focus on being a better ball carrier and helping the team build momentum. I also want to execute good tackles, win turnover ball and ensure quick ball for the backs.

“We do the donkey work up front so they can do the eye-catching things out the back,” Davids added with a laugh.