Blitzboks’ hot steppers taking it step-by-step

Feb 28 • Blitz Bokke, General News, Sevens Rugby • 1401 Views • Comments Off on Blitzboks’ hot steppers taking it step-by-step

They took to sevens like ducks to water and Selvyn Davids and Stedman Gans are double HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series champions already, but both are adamant that they still have much more to offer the Blitzboks.

Davids, who was a standout for the Down Touch Griffons in fifteens, is in a second full season with the Blitzboks, while Gans, a former Junior Springbok, also broke into the team in the 2017 season. Both are now comfortable with the growing roles of responsibility that are being added to their wicked stepping and playmaking.

Davids, in particular, has been elevated due to the injury to Cecil Afrika and Rosko Specman moving to fifteens, while Gans is taking over from Ruhan Nel in the midfield.

“It is nice to get more opportunities – you need to play to gain confidence and I think the bigger involvement I have now has been good for me,” Davids said.

The former fullback stepped up in Australia earlier this month, where he excelled in the role of sweeper at the HSBC Sydney Sevens. Davids scored 30 points as well, kicking a number of good conversions, an area where South Africa needed to improve on.

“The more comfortable one gets, the more you relax and starting to enjoy stuff and that works for me in the Blitzboks. I love that I get more playing time,” said Davids, who will be playing in his 10^th tournament.

Gans debuted in Las Vegas in 2017, when the Blitzboks won, and he believes it could be another good outing for the team.

“We are getting closer and closer to that weekend where we will be unbeatable,” said Gans, who will be playing in his 14^th tournament.

“The young guys are learning all the time and we are improving as a squad. We are getting good confidence and had a good week training. Everyone is keen to contribute and fulfil their responsibilities and if we do that, the results will look after itself.”

The Springbok Sevens team face Japan and Chile on the first day of the tournament, which starts on Friday. They will face England in their remaining pool D clash on Saturday.