Springbok Women determined to topple mighty Canada
Springbok Women captain Nolusindiso Booi said her team will enter Loftus Versfeld with excitement and determination when they face Canada at 13:30 on Saturday.
Springbok Sevens star Mfundo Ndhlovu is looking forward to the challenge at the Rugby Africa Sevens tournament in Mauritius this weekend
Ndhlovu is the most experienced player in the squad as they prepare to take on Nigeria, Zambia and Burkina Faso in their Pool B fixtures on Saturday. The tournament will be played at Labourdonnais Sports Club in Port Louis.
Ndhlovu, who made his Blitzbok debut in 2018, is amongst a handful of players in the SA side who also played in last year's event, when it consisted of two tournaments at the same venue.
"On a personal level, I am looking forward to just play rugby in a beautiful country and just enjoy and express myself," said Ndhlovu.
"Doing so with a Springbok badge on the chest is even better, but it does add responsibility and commitment to the task, because the commitment to the team comes first."
As they experienced last year, the South Africans will be the biggest fish to fry for the other teams, but Ndhlovu said they are ready to overcome that: "That Springbok badge makes you a target for sure, but that is fine, we know what is coming in that regard. You don't need to overthink that part, if you stick to the plan and implement the processes, the results will look after itself."
Ndhlovu is also excited about the new talent in the squad that Blitzbok head coach Philip Snyman had assembled.
"They are all talented players, and I can see many of them getting on the circuit and doing well," he predicted.
Another returnee to the tournament is Sebastiaan Jobb, with the speedster using this event a year ago to remind Snyman that he should feature in his plans for the 2025 season. He laid down a marker by being named Player of the Tournament in both tournaments.
"Yes, that certainly helped in getting my Blitzbok career going again and that is one of the reasons why I am happy to be back here," said Jobb.
"The African opponents are going to be a handful, we learned that lesson last year when Uganda outplayed us in both tournaments."
Jobb was red-carded twice during the 2025 HSBC SVNS season and is eager to implement his adjusted tackle technique this weekend in match conditions: "I have worked hard on that at training and the coaches worked with me to get that aspect right. Although, as a wing, I love to run with the ball in open spaces, defence will be a huge focus for me this weekend."
Jobb paid a heavy price for his indiscretions when he missed the Grand Finale in Los Angeles due to suspension and missed out on the Blitzboks being crowned World Champions: "It was a huge price to pay, but that is how you learn. I am also trying to improve as an individual as that will benefit the team and make the system better."
He also had some advice to the new players in the squad: "They have an ideal opportunity here to learn and grow and I believe they will be embracing that, adding to the team effort."
Springbok Sevens 'A' pool fixtures - Saturday 21 June (SA times):
08:06 - Nigeria
10:50 - Zambia
13:34 - Burkina Faso
Springbok Sevens 'A' squad:
Masande Mtshali, Jayden Nell, Gideon van Wyk, Ntshika Fisanti, Ricardo Duarttee, Joubert Schoeman, Grant de Jager, Ezekiel Ngobeni, Rowan Malgas, Joel Leotlela, Sebastiaan Jobb, Mfundo Ndhlovu.
Issued on SABC Sport | https://www.sabcsport.com/rugby/news/blitzbok-mfundo-ndhlovu-looking-to-express-himself-at-rugby-africa-sevens
Springbok Women captain Nolusindiso Booi said her team will enter Loftus Versfeld with excitement and determination when they face Canada at 13:30 on Saturday.
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