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Despite some losses to the Super 14 franchises and some injuries, Springbok coach Paul Treu is satisfied that the IRB Sevens World Series champions are on track and that they will give a good account of themselves in a little more than two weeks.

Lionel Mapoe, Robert Ebersohn and Philip Snyman are all missing but with new captain Paul Delport and three former skippers, Mzwandile Stick, Mpho Mbiyozo and Neil Powell will all be involved.

Wins in Namibia and Singapore have given the new squad confidence heading into the international business.
While the players are likely to be under more pressure than before, coach Paul Treu said that his squad had never previously been as well prepared as now.

“There are many things that are different this year. We have played in more tournaments, our contracted squad has been together for longer and we are still playing training games against local club teams this week,” said Treu.
However, that does not mean the team is unaware of the psychological challenge posed by being defending champions.

“Of course it’s going to be tough in Dubai. But I think last season was a good learning curve. Last year we occupied the No 1 spot after the Dubai tournament and stayed there until the end of the series,” said Treu.

“That is how we learned how to deal with pressure. The hunger, the will to win and the desire to stay at the top, are there. My job is to ensure that we maintain that hunger.”