They owed South Africa a Cape Town Sevens title for nine long years, and it was a relief for the Blitzboks when things finally culminated in a home win last weekend.
Despite the change in format to the Mother City’s tournament, and only playing four games throughout the weekend, the Springbok Sevens never doubted that they could win.
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The last time the Blitzboks had the crown was back in 2015, when head coach Philip Snyman was still a player.
After not faring too well at the season opener in Dubai a week earlier, coming in sixth, the Blitzboks had some pressure taken off them, but also felt a bit of heat in front of their home fans.
They came agonisingly close in 2016 and 2019 to grabbing a win in Cape Town, but were left with broken hearts after defeats to England and New Zealand in the finals.
“We owed the country this for nine years, and we finally won in Cape Town again,” Blitzboks playmaker Dewald Human said.
“Even after our display in Dubai, where we didn’t do so well, you could see that the guys were still positive. At the start of the pre-season, coach Philip had already laid out our plans.
“He said we must not speak negatively about the system or South African rugby, but remain positive. The guys really took it to heart, and our results at the Cape Town Sevens showed it.
“Even when the format was changed by World Rugby with only four games over the weekend, we stayed positive and did not complain about that.
“We took the matches in our stride, and can be proud of what we achieved in the system and the support we received in Cape Town.”
The Blitzboks beat a depleted Ireland and former winners in the Mother City, Ireland, during the pool stages last Saturday.
In Sunday’s knockouts, they got the better of an inspired Spain in the semis and France in the finals with comeback wins.
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The fight they showed, especially on defence, reminded fans of the golden Springbok Sevens era where the cornerstone of their title-winning seasons was tackling.
For Human, the Cape Town tournament almost didn’t happen. He fell ill with a tummy bug and couldn’t partake in a crucial training session, but he pushed through and was one of the inspirational players for the side.
“I had a little bit of diarrhoea on Friday, so I could not partake in the captain’s practice. I was in bed the whole day, so coach Philip told me to make a call to play or not.
“My answer was that I would play. The doctor sorted me out with medicine. I was still sick on Saturday, but I had to do it for the team, and we pulled it through.
“I received messages and calls from my mother and brother-in-law reminding me of why I am representing this jersey, what it means playing for South Africa.
“I don’t go home often, but they are always behind me.
“With my injuries over the years, you sometimes get negative, but the support of the coaches and my family – those are the things that drive you to get back on the horse.
“That fight is what this team stands for.”
The Blitzboks missed key players like captain Selvyn Davids, Ronald Brown, Ryan Oosthuizen and Christie Grobbelaar, who would’ve loved to contribute to the win.
But it shows the depth of the side, and their ability to win without some experienced guys.
It’s all about rest and recovery with family over the festive period for the Springbok Sevens before they return to duty in January.
The win took them to fourth in the standings after two tournaments.
Australia for the Perth Sevens is next on their list at the end of January, and the South Africans will look to start the new year in the same way they ended 2024.