The Springbok Sevens team will begin their campaign Down Under on Friday morning when they face the USA in their opening game of Pool A.

The Cape Town 7s champions are in a tough pool. Apart from the USA, they will also tackle hosts Australia and Argentina.

Blitzboks coach Philip Snyman said they are eager to measure themselves against strong competition.

“We strive to be the best team in the world, so this weekend in Perth will show us how far we are from that objective,” said the former Blitzboks captain and Cheetahs winger.

“We had a good week in Cape Town the last time the teams played, but that win is in the past now. It gave us the belief that we are good enough to win, but now we must make sure we maintain the standards we have set.

“This is a really competitive season, and there are no so-called easy games at all. You need to be at your very best and show up if you want to be competitive.”

Philip Snyman. Photo: Rugby

“We want to lay a solid foundation in that first game, so it is an important one for us,” he said. “The USA will test us in many areas – they have some big boys, and they play with a lot of heart. That said, we have a plan to beat them, which is based on keeping our ball. The heat could also be a factor and might benefit us.”

On Friday morning at 8:23, the Blitzboks face the USA, and at 13:52, they will be up against Australia.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cg