The Blitzboks were once the pride and joy of South African rugby, with the sevens side having ultimately won the World Rugby Sevens Series on four previous occasions, while having won over 40 tournaments in total.
In 2022, the Blitzboks added a second Commonwealth Gold medal to their collection after also winning the tournament in 2014.
For the better part of a decade, the Springbok Sevens side was coached by Neil Powell, who became like a father figure to many players, despite also often having a firm touch when it came to on and off-field performance levels.
Without a doubt, Powell’s departure has left a massive void. That’s really part one of where the problems began.
New chapter for Blitzboks
As a new era began, SA Rugby empowered former sevens star Sandile Ngcobo into the role of head coach, with fellow former teammate Philip Snyman also serving in a key senior coaching role.
The word from the ground is that Ngcobo is a prickly character, and at times he has rubbed people up the wrong way. And to borrow a sporting term, it has begun to seem as if he’s ‘lost the changeroom’ in recent times.
After a strong start to this season’s World Rugby Sevens series, the Blitzboks have slumped to one disappointment after another, and currently dwell down in seventh place on the overall standings. South Africa has 48 points, and by comparison, the leading side – Argentina – are runaway leaders on 90.
Time for change
The Blitzboks, who had finished in the top two in 12 of the previous 16 HSBC SVNS seasons, have fallen from grace recently – finishing ninth and 11th in the last two events in Vancouver and Los Angeles, respectively.
If the team fails to finish in the top eight of the standings, it will be required to play in a promotion and relegation series.
SA Rugby ultimately decided that action had to be taken, and Ngcobo has returned to the role of coach to the next generation of sevens players, while Snyman has taken over as head coach of the Blitzboks until the end of July.
Interestingly, a statement from the governing body suggested the changes were actually proposed by Ngcobo.
A major concern is the fact that the team has still not qualified for the Olympic Games in Paris later this year.
“We have a talented and experienced group of Sevens players, but they have underperformed since winning the opening event of the world series in Dubai and results have only worsened,” said Rian Oberholzer, CEO of SA Rugby.
“We have yet to qualify for the Olympics and there is a danger that the team will not automatically retain its core status on the series. We greatly appreciate the honesty of Sandile’s approach and must praise him for placing the team’s needs above his personal ambitions.
“We will continue to invest in his development and believe he has a future in our systems. However, the short-term needs of the team are such that for continuity purposes we have given Philip the task of reviving the team’s fortunes.
“A review of the broader Sevens department’s structure will continue to ensure that it is fit for purpose. The Blitzboks have been a shining light for rugby for many seasons and we wish to see them on fire once again.”
The team is next in action at the Hong Kong Sevens on 5-7 April.