|
27/03/2008 08:02
JJ Harmse
In a year's time South Africa could be double World Champions in rugby.
In March next year, the IRB Sevens World Cup will take place in Dubai and South Africa will start as one of the favorites. No team has held both crowns at the same time and it would be a nice first for South Africa if our boys can pull it off.
They have done well in Dubai in recent years and are among the top contenders in the IRB World Sevens Series. They are currently second on the log of the 2007/08 series at the halfway mark of the eight tournament series.
As you read this, I will be on my way to Hong Kong for the fifth event in the series and one that South Africa has never won in all their years of trying.
In fact, the Sevens Springboks have failed so many times at this famous venue, one fears to get one's hopes up.
Racial incident
In the past, it has not diminished the joy of attending one of the biggest parties in the world and once again I have to thank Cathay Pacific for making it possible for me to be there. The flights to Hong Kong have been packed this week and as co-sponsor of the event, the airline must be smiling to see so many people using their services to travel to one of the premier sporting events in the world.
I recall a racial incident at last year's event when two car salesmen from Klerksdorp abused Paul Treu because his side lost to Samoa in the semis. It was a shoddy performance against the eventual winners, but what those two did not know was that Treu was hurting deeply already.
He is really one of the most dedicated coaches around and I for one hope he will get the mix right this time around.
Some new faces, combined with a lot of experience and the blistering pace of try-scoring machine, Fabian Juries, could help Treu to that elusive title. The South Africans have only made one final, way back in 1997, which is unacceptable for such a great nation.
Momentum
Since South Africa were crowned Rugby World Cup champions in October last year, the Sevens team has found no favours from fellow competitors on the IRB Sevens circuit. They lost in the semi-finals at the Dubai and George events, were shocked by Tonga in Wellington and finally came good in San Diego where they pushed New Zealand all the way in the final.
Treu will be looking at that momentum to make history this time around.
"I have 10 of the guys who played in San Diego available again. They know what finals are about and most of them have been to this pressure cooker of a tournament before. The experience will hopefully result in composure and calmness when under pressure," Treu said last weekend.
Treu has called up two exciting young prospects in Wilton Pietersen and Robert Ebersohn. Both starred in the Varsity Cup for Shimlas before being drafted into the Sevens team and are outstanding talents.
Potential
Believe you me, they will be tested in Hong Kong. I have seen the likes of Joe van Niekerk, Brent Russell and Jean de Villiers come through this event with their reputations intact and they went on to become great Springboks. The two youngsters have the pedigree to follow in those footsteps. Treu believes the same thing.
"I would not have picked either of the two if I did not believe in their potential," Treu said. "Both did well at our training camps and should benefit from the high pressure environment in Hong Kong."
To be successful in Hong Kong and claim the $100 000 first prize, you need consistency, luck and a star player to do amazing things. Treu has the latter in Juries.
The side-stepping speedster has scored 24 tries already this year and heads the IRB tryscoring list for the season. He is also second on the all-time list with 156 tries and closing in fast on Argentina's Santiago Gomez Cora's 181 tries.
If Juries fires, the Boks could really push the likes of Fiji and New Zealand. Fiji, after some average performances in the first four events, stopped short of calling for a state of emergency, and made numerous changes to their squad. The brilliant William Ryder is back from Japan and former Crusaders star, Marika Vunibaka, will captain the side.
Always upsets
New Zealand are on a high after wiping the floor with their opponents in all four tournaments.
Treu admitted that New Zealand have probably done enough already to win the series, but remains adamant that the Hong Kong title is not theirs by default.
"There are always upsets at this event and we believe we have what it takes to beat New Zealand this time around. However, you also need to beat Fiji and Samoa, who love playing here. Also, the likes of England, Scotland and Wales can cause an upset at any given game."
The South African team is:
Mpho Mbiyozo, Robert Ebersohn, Frankie Horne, Vuyo Zangqa, Neil Powell (captain), Schalk van der Merwe, Renfred Dazel, Jonathan Mokuena, Mzwandile Stick, Fabian Juries, MJ Mentz, Wilton Pietersen.
Read JJ every Sunday in Rapport.
Send JJ your thoughts
Disclaimer: News24 encourages freedom of speech and the expression of diverse views. The views of columnists published on News24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent the views of News24.
|
COMMENTS