Seasoned Shakes aims to go long in Hong Kong

Sevens veteran Siviwe ‘Shakes’ Soyizwapi and a young Blitzboks squad have jetted off to Hong Kong for the iconic fifth leg in the World Rugby SVNS series.

The 57-tournament finisher returns to Hong Kong for a sixth time, though a new venue awaits at the three-day Hong Kong Sevens that kicks off at the Kai Tak Stadium on Friday.

The Blitzboks are currently fourth in the standings with 62 points, behind leaders Argentina (68), Spain (66) and Fiji (62).

Soyizwapi, 32, and fellow veterans Ryan Oosthuizen (53 tournaments) and Zain Davids (50) gird the squad with experience while teenager Gino Cupido is set to make his Blitzboks debut, and Tristan Leyds and Zander Reynders travel to Hong Kong for the first time.

“We leave here well prepared and determined to succeed,” said Soyizwapi. “We want to be in the top four in every tournament and we are getting there, so the confidence is growing that we are on the right track.

“The growth of the squad in recent times shows in the performances this far, we are becoming contenders in each tournament.”

South Africa finished second at the Canada Sevens in February after losing out to Argentina in the Cup final.

“In Vancouver, the final was played at something like 3am on a Monday morning back home, yet so many people got up to watch and support,” said Soyizwapi.

“The time zones are a bit better next weekend, so maybe we can return the favour. We really value the support we get and that is also a driving factor for the team.”

Hong Kong Sevens
Pool B fixtures
Friday, 28 March
11.56am: Uruguay
2.39pm: Australia

Saturday 29 March
07.43am: New Zealand

Blitzboks squad
2 Ryan Oosthuizen (53 tournaments, 230 points), 3 Impi Visser (43, 220), 4 Zain Davids (50, 225), 5 Ricardo Duarttee (16, 255), 8 Selvyn Davids (39, 712), 10 Dewald Human (29, 298), 11 Siviwe Soyizwapi (57, 770), 12 Shilton van Wyk (24, 225),  14 Quewin Nortje (10, 135), 15 Donavan Don (7, 52), 20 Gino Cupido (uncapped), 21 Zander Reynders (3, 0), 24 Tristan Leyds (8, 110)

Photo: Twitter/@Blitzboks