Flight mode and chill: Blitzbok Tristan Leyds eyes reset after Hong Kong heroics
Rugby Sevens
Blitzboks playmaker Tristan Leyds outsprints the Argentina defence during the Hong Kong SVNS final this past weekend. Leyds was instrumental in the first-ever victory of the Springbok Sevens and was named Player of the Final.
Image: Alex Ho / World Rugby
Phone on flight mode and watching a series or two on TV will be the downtime for Hong Kong SVNS Player of the Final Tristan Leyds as the Blitzboks look to reset for the next SVNS World Championship tournament.
Leyds, alongside former captain Selvyn Davids, played a defining role for the Springbok Sevens as they claimed a first-ever Hong Kong title on the 50th anniversary of the tournament. He scored a brilliant try while also assisting a couple more in the 35-7 rout.
After taking one step closer to retaining their World Championship crown, Leyds said it is all about resetting ahead of the next leg in Valladolid, Spain, next month.
"It’s just about putting the phone on flight mode and getting some rest, staying on the couch and watching some series," Leyds said of his plans over the next week.
Head coach Philip Snyman said he will be giving his troops time off before they reconvene to begin preparations for the Spain trip. They had to complete their Schengen visas on Thursday before heading into a well-deserved break.
“We have a couple of days off before returning to training, and I know there are some guys hungry to take our spots. It is about getting back to zero, hitting the gym, and knowing they’ll give us a run for our money at training.
“I spoke to one of the guys, and I told him it’s time for him to show the world what he can do. He’s the one keeping me on my toes and helping me to flourish.”
According to Leyds, receiving the Player of the Final award was a special moment, amplified by winning the tournament in its 50th year. He added that the award could easily have gone to Davids for his two tries and overall contribution.
“I think it was a tough one between Selvyn and me; he had a monster of a game.
“In one of our last scrums, if he had managed to get the ball, he would’ve gone through for his hat-trick, and then the award might have gone a different way. The guys inside and outside of me allowed me to flourish, and they made me look good.