The Blitzboks broke a nine-year curse on home soil through sheer hard work and dedication, coach Philip Snyman revealed after his charges won the Cape Town Sevens over the weekend.
The Blitzboks beat France 26-14 in the final to lift the trophy which had eluded them since 2015.
In attendance at the Cape Town Stadium, was Springbok skipper Siya Kolisi, as the team in green made their fans proud.
Following the victory, Snyman paid tribute to his troops.
Hunger from the troops
“It’s a very special win at home,” Snyman told SportsBoom.com.
“People might call it a ‘curse,’ but tonight the guys were hungry to prove themselves. They wanted to give back to Cape Town and South Africa. The players worked hard throughout pre-season and showed their dedication on the field. They truly deserve this victory.”
“We’re building towards something bigger. Winning is great, but our ultimate goal is long-term success. We’re also focused on developing the next generation of players, and this weekend showed us that we have some exciting young talent coming through.”
The triumph moved the Blitzboks up to third after two tournaments in the new series.
“This victory gives us confidence and momentum, but the road ahead is long. We need to keep building, stay humble, and continue working hard.”
Snyman also explained how the home crowd inspired his side.
“Before the warm-up, the changeroom was silent, and the management asked me if something was wrong.
“I told them, ‘The crowd will lift the guys.’ And as soon as we sang the national anthem, it was a special moment for everyone. The energy from the crowd gave the players a massive boost, and we felt the entire country behind us.”