Better transformed, better conditioned, and just plain better at winning, the Blitzboks are redeeming South African rugby with their flair, passion, and diversity.
Great feature on the #BlitzBokke ‘s newest try-scoring record-holder @Seabelo_Senatla on @SS_Phaka
Now on @SuperSportTV 201Seeya-Belo! pic.twitter.com/qnTDPcNc9c
— 7s in South Africa (@BlitzBokke) February 14, 2017
Four tournaments, three titles and a team that looks like it learns lessons from its mistakes – even if it takes three losses to do so. The Blitzboks won their third title of the World Series in Sydney, finally beating England after having lost to them at the Olympics, in Cape Town and during the group stages over the weekend.
South Africa are sitting pretty at the top of the table as the sides head for Las Vegas, and their performances on the field have been a wonderful antidote to the Springboks.
Last year, week in, week out, it became painful to watch the Boks. In fact, since the 2015 World Cup, the South African XVs side went from one low to another. From losing to Japan to Italy in Florence on their European tour, the list of misdemeanours made even the most ardent Bok fans recoil. South Africa was always making the wrong sort of history.
Uninspired, insipid and just generally “un”, rugby became a bit of chore to watch in 2015. Fortunately, redemption wasn’t too far off. The first weekend in December brought sweet relief as the Blitzboks returned to action and won the title in Dubai. While they disappointed on home soil, they more than made up for it in Wellington and Sydney.
It’s sometimes hard to believe that the Blitzboks are borne out of the same boardrooms that manage the Springboks. Everything they do is just so much better. The Blitzboks are more consistent. More transformed. Better conditioned. More victorious. They are the complete package and embodies everything we want South African sports teams to be.
By their own impeccably high standards, the Blitzboks will probably view the bronze medal they won at the Olympics as a disappointment. Somehow, though, we can forgive them. From the outside looking in, they appear to be far more inclusive and relatable than their XVs counterparts.
From Francois Hougaard gifting his medal to Seabelo Senatla to Kyle Brown’s (and now Phillip Snyman’s) inspiring leadership, Cecil Afrika’s willingness to front up to interviews despite knowing that he stutters, these guys warm the cockles of the most stone cold hearts. And, crucially, they all come from diverse backgrounds, all with their own unique challenges.
Senatla grew up in Welkom and never thought he’d be an international star. Well, he kicked dust in that theory’s eyes just like he kicks dust in the eyes of his opponents. Branco du Preez comes from humble beginnings in George, where his parents worked on a farm. Many of the players come from schools not considered to be so-called “traditional” rugby schools, which just goes to show what can happen when a system seeks to be inclusive rather than continues to perpetuate elitism.
It helps that the Blitzboks are quite good at rugby too. In fact, they are the most skilful rugby team in the country. Since the World Series circuit first began, South Africa has been one of the most entertaining teams to watch. That doesn’t mean that they’ve not faltered, of course.
They’ve been downright frustrating at times, often the bridesmaid, rarely the bride, but they have always played with flair and passion and never has that been more evident than this season.
Their fleet-footed wizardry has been the perfect antidote for all of last season’s woes and the look on course to finally put on that wedding gown.
While much of what happened with the Springboks last year wasn’t the fault of the players – there are PHD papers to be written about how the system failed them and the game – the Blitzboks have been a soothing balm for all the burns.
And while Test rugby fundamentalists might have their reservations about the format, South African fans can do with all the relief they can get before the next season starts.
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