Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Keanan Hemmonsbey
Published on 2024-03-13 21:13:01
The coaching hierarchy of the Blitzboks has undergone a restructuring, with head coach Sandile Ngcobo returning to coaching the Springboks Sevens Academy and Ngcobo’s assistant, Philip Snyman, taking over as head coach of the Blitzboks, as announced by SA Rugby. This decision comes in the wake of disappointing performances in recent events, with the team finishing ninth and 11th out of 12 in the past two tournaments in Vancouver and Los Angeles.
The change in structure was initiated by Ngcobo, who suggested the shift in roles. Snyman’s appointment is currently until July, with his long-term prospects dependent on the team’s performance in Olympic qualification and maintaining core status on the SVNS World Series, outcomes that are not guaranteed.
Despite winning the first Sevens leg in Dubai last year, the Blitzboks struggled to advance to the semifinals in subsequent legs, leaving them seventh overall in the standings with three legs remaining. Failure to secure a top-eight finish could result in the team participating in a promotion and relegation series.
The 2023 season was a challenging one for the Blitzboks, as they fell short of automatic qualification for the Olympic Games and missed out on another opportunity when they were defeated by Kenya in the final of the continental qualifier. Their last chance of Olympic qualification lies in the repechage tournament in Monaco this June.
Facing teams like Great Britain and Spain, who are core participants in the World SVNS circuit, the Blitzboks will need to elevate their performance to secure an Olympic berth. Snyman’s appointment as head coach is intended to guide the team through this crucial period until the end of July and the completion of the Olympic Games in Paris.
The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 has had lasting financial repercussions on SA Rugby, affecting the professional rugby community in South Africa, including the Sevens system. Budget cuts and restrictions on international travel have hampered the team’s ability to attract and retain key players, resulting in underperformance in recent competitions.
SA Rugby’s CEO, Rian Oberholzer, acknowledged the challenges faced by the team and expressed gratitude for Ngcobo’s selfless approach in prioritizing the team’s needs over personal ambitions. While the organization continues to invest in Ngcobo’s development, the immediate focus is on revitalizing the team under Snyman’s leadership.
As the Blitzboks strive to regain their competitive edge, plans to review and optimize the Sevens department’s structure are underway to ensure sustained success. The team’s legacy as a powerhouse of rugby is cherished, and stakeholders are eager to see them return to peak performance levels once again.
Read the original article on Daily Maverick
