Blitzboks captain Selvyn Davids on one of his trademark runs during last year's Olympics Games Rugby 7’s. He was crowned Sevens Player of the Year on Thursday. Photo: Barry Aldworth BackpagePix
Image: Barry Aldworth BackpagePix
Being the leader of a national team in South Africa is a tough task, but Blitzboks captain Selvyn Davids is happy he can count on other seniors in the team to lighten the load.
The flight-footed Davids claimed the Springbok Sevens Player of the Year award on Thursday after a season where the South Africans bagged a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
On the SVNS Series, though, things didn't always go according to plan, but they've turned a corner in the new season and currently sit in fourth place on the overall series log with two tournaments to go.
The South Africans are only six points behind log-leaders Argentina and can still win the title with a big push in Hong Kong and Singapore.
According to Davids, they will take the tournaments as they come and not look too far ahead, but they are excited to head to Hong Kong.
“We are in a very good position on the log and look forward to what the next tournament will bring,” the captain said.
“The goal of the team is to deliver our best, always. But sometimes the bounce of the rugby ball doesn’t go your way, especially in sevens. The boys are in a good space currently and we are enjoying our rugby.”
The Blitzboks won the Cape Town leg and recently claimed the silver in Canada. Davids is hopeful they can take that momentum to Hong Kong where they’ll play in a new stadium. The South Africans have never tasted success in the Far East and the Kai Tak Sports Park could help them rewrite history.
“I won’t make promises about the tournament or say we will win. But, I can promise we will give our all and do it for South Africa and our loved ones. The new stadium looks beautiful, but we are not going there for sightseeing. We are going to play rugby. So the changes don’t matter, we want to do our thing on the field.
“We’ve been sweating at our base in Stellenbosch. We’re almost through the season, but still working on our fitness, that’s a bit funny,” Davids joked about their tough preparation.
“But we are getting a lot of positivity from the coaches and management. Things are going better than what it was a year ago.”
On the award, Davids recognised his teammates and thanked them for putting in the hard work, allowing him to shine.
He says he is not a man of many words on the field, and they know it, but he loves to lead with the way he plays. After recovering from a recent injury, he immediately injected some fresh pace to the side.
“This award is just a bonus. Rugby is a team sport, but I am privileged to have received it. So, I want to thank my teammates for their contribution on the field and the guidance from the coaches. It’s an honour winning this.”
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