The unseen engine: David Brits on the 'sacrificial work' fuelling Blitzboks' title bid

The Springbok Sevens may boast some of the most electrifying backs in the world, but forward David Brits insists the unseen work up front will again be crucial as the Blitzboks chase a hat-trick of titles at this weekend’s SVNS tournament in New York.

The 28-year-old has become an important cog in the South African pack, embracing the less glamorous side of the shortened format as the Blitzboks prepare for another push for silverware on the North American leg of the series.

While fans often celebrate the dazzling tries scored out wide by the likes of Shilton van Wyk and Sebastiaan Jobb, Brits says the platform created by the forwards is where many victories are forged.

“As a forward in this team you do a lot of things people don’t see,” he explained. “It’s sacrificial work, but those little things create the platform for our backs, who are incredibly talented. If we can give them quality ball, they’ll make magic happen.”

Brits has enjoyed a productive spell since making his Blitzboks debut in Perth in 2024. In just 14 tournaments, he has already collected five titles and stood on the podium in four of the last six events, highlighting the consistency South Africa have built on the HSBC SVNS circuit. Despite being an outside back during his fifteens career – where he even lifted the Currie Cup with the Toyota Cheetahs – Brits has fully embraced the gritty demands of sevens forward play.

“It took me a while to get used to sevens because it’s such a tricky game,” he admitted. “But playing in all the tournaments this season has helped me find my rhythm, and I’m really enjoying it now.”

The Blitzboks head into the New York tournament with momentum after a strong showing in Vancouver, where the forwards also made their presence felt on the scoreboard. Players such as Impi Visser, Ryan Oosthuizen, and Brits himself crossed the whitewash—a reminder that the pack can contribute in attack as well.

“It’s always nice to see the big guys get over for tries,” Brits said. “Impi scored some fantastic ones and showed he’s still got that ability.”

South Africa will, however, be without the injured Christie Grobbelaar this weekend, a loss Brits acknowledged will be felt. But he believes newcomer Jayden Nell is ready to step in seamlessly. “Christie brings a lot of speed and physicality, but Jayden is a very similar player,” said Brits. “He’s been training with us and understands how we operate. If he stays calm, he’ll do well.”

Although they claimed back-to-back titles in Perth and Vancouver, Brits says the squad wants to achieve a rare feat by winning consecutive tournaments on the same tour.

“We’re not here just to compete; we’re here to win,” he said. “A few of us haven’t won proper back-to-back tournaments on tour before, so that’s a big motivation. Everything we need is in this squad, and there’s no better time to do it than now.”

The Blitzboks are level on 86 log points with Fiji as the regular season wraps up in New York, where the Blitzboks are in the same pool as New Zealand, France, and Australia. Whoever finishes in pole position will be exempt from a possible relegation battle in the three-leg World Championships.