In 2015/16, South Africa narrowly missed out on the HSBC Sevens World Series crown, finishing second to Fiji by 10 points. However, after being named in the Blitzboks’ squad for the series opener in Dubai, Rosko Specman insisted that past failures would serve the team well this season.
In 2015/16, South Africa narrowly missed out on the HSBC Sevens World Series crown, finishing second to Fiji by 10 points. However, after being named in the Blitzboks’ squad for the series opener in Dubai, Rosko Specman insisted that past failures would serve the team well this season.
“We have decided this year that our main goal is to be number one [in the World Series]. I think the more we've wanted it, the more we have made mistakes, and there’s always been one game where we slipped up and Fiji went through, but I think this year, we have a lot of experience, and this can be our year.”
This season, the Blitzboks will be playing under a new captain. Kyle Brown recently stepped down from the position and was replaced by Philip Snyman.
Specman described Snyman as “a fun, relaxed guy” and somebody who brought balance to the team’s leadership group alongside the more serious Brown.
A former Mary Waters High School and Kingswood College pupil, Specman is counting on his supporters in Grahamstown to help spur him on to new heights.
Of Blitzbok fans in his town of birth, he said: “The people from Grahamstown always support me through my ups and downs and they will always give me the power to be greater than last year.”
Specman will hope their support pushes him on to impressive performances in the Dubai tournament from 2-3 December. Upon its conclusion, the Blitzboks will head to Cape Town and prepare to host the second leg of the World Series from 10-11 December.
The full Blitzboks squad for Dubai is:
1. Chris Dry (52 tournaments, 360 points)
2. Philip Snyman (captain, 37, 211)
3. Dylan Sage (7, 40)
4. Kwagga Smith (24, 250)
5. Werner Kok (19, 210)
6. Kyle Brown (56, 385)
7. Branco du Preez (45, 874)
8. Rosko Specman (13, 169)
9. Justin Geduld (25, 558)
10. Cecil Afrika (45, 1123)
11. Ruhan Nel (11, 110)
12. Seabelo Senatla (29, 785)
13. Siviwe Soyizwapi (3, 30)
