Tiaan Pretorius is putting no pressure on himself and the Blitzboks to emulate his uncle Kwagga Smith’s Rugby World Cup-winning feats at the Stade de France in the Paris Olympics.
Smith, who was a Blitzbok star himself, came off the bench in the World Cup final last year to help the Springboks edge the All Blacks in the iconic stadium in the French capital.
Pretorius will now get the opportunity to run out in the same venue, which also hosted the 1998 Fifa World Cup final, when the Olympic sevens competition is held there next week.
It would be an incredible achievement for the family should Pretorius also bring home a gold medal from Paris, but the youngster is not looking too far ahead.
“There are a lot of series and tournaments, but the Olympics is the one you want to play in. To have the opportunity to stand on the podium and hear the national anthem would be incredible,” Pretorius exclusively told Independent Newspapers this week.
“There is a lot of belief in the team, especially by qualifying so late – it showed that anything is possible.
“There will always be pressure, but there isn’t a lot of expectation from our side, and the message is just for the boys to go out there and play.”
@Blitzboks are on their way to Paris 2024! 🇫🇷
— Team South Africa (@OfficialTeamRSA) July 17, 2024
Let’s get behind our team and show our support as they prepare for the Olympics. 💪🏅#TeamSA #ForMyCountry #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/hwZ7cMcHAW
The Blitzboks’ best performance at the Olympics was eight years ago in Rio de Janeiro, when former coach Neil Powell’s team claimed the bronze medal.
Former Paul Roos Gymnasium centre Pretorius feels after a tumultuous 12 months, the Blitzboks are starting to feel like their old selves again under the leadership of coach Philip Snyman.
“It’s amazing to play under Philly,” Pretorius said. “The team has the same purpose as him. Everyone is aligned, and it’s great to have trust and belief again in the team.”
The 23-year-old is a relative novice on the sevens circuit, having only played eight tournaments since his debut in Dubai in 2022.
It is understandable that participating in the biggest sporting event in the world would undoubtedly stir up some nervous tension, but he feels that having experienced players such as captain Selwyn Davids and veteran forward Zain Davids around will help him through the tough moments.
“It hasn’t set in yet ... just plenty of excitement. I think once we get that side, we’ll really start feeling it,” Pretorius said.
“But the biggest thing is the calmness they (experienced players) bring, knowing that there is a guy alongside you who has been in the situation more than you.
LEARN from the best....@speckmagic11 pic.twitter.com/bsOtBPIVj5
— Springbok Sevens (@Blitzboks) July 16, 2024
“It provides that comfortable space. It is very exciting to have them here. It’s great to be able to go to them as a default when you don’t know what to do.”
The Blitzboks face Ireland in their Pool A opener next Wednesday (5.30pm SA time), before the almighty clash with arch-rivals New Zealand on the same day (9.30pm). They then come up against Japan on Thursday (4.30pm).