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Robin Heymann

No-one said life is easy at the top of international sport. It is one thing to reach the summit but maintaining that position and a dominance over a period of time is what marks out the true greats. How many times in sport do we follow a side on a long journey, seeing them eventually hit their targets only to struggle to maintain their grip in the immediate aftermath.

South Africa’s Sevens team find themselves currently in this tricky spot. It’s perhaps unfair to sound the warning alarms just yet, especially as we’ve only had two of the allotted eight tournaments thus far this season.

But I don’t think anyone expected Paul Treu’s Blitz Boks would walk away from Dubai and George off the back of two cup quarter-final exits and without even a plate in sight. Languishing in eight position on their first defense of their World Series crown has to be a genuine concern. The festive Braai might not be tasting quite so sweet over the next few days.

All change

The speed that the Sevens landscape can seemingly change matches the frenzied action on the pitch. On the eve of the start of the IRB Sevens World Series, at the beginning of this month, all the hype seem to surrounded the Boks.

The defending World Series champions bounced into Dubai in confident fashion with a seemingly ideal pre-season done and dusted. As you would expect from a full-time Sevens side the side were fit, polished and raring to go. Treu was missing some stars from last season, with the loss of Dazel, Aplon, Zangqua, and Ebersohn a concern. But many still felt (including this author) that the well oiled machine that the South Africa side has evolved into, would be able to cope fine.

And on day 1 in Dubai things looked to be ticking over nicely. Professional against Wales (28-14), clinical against Arabian Gulf (36-7) and ruthless in taking the Aussies down (36-0). But with Samoa topping Pool B, it meant the Boks had to face-off against nemesis Fiji, in the quarter-finals of day 2. Here they were exposed 17-5 before going on to lose the Plate with an error-strewn collapse to Australia.

Inauspicious start. With only a few days to rid themselves of their Dubai hangover they were struck down with what Treu described as one his worst week ever associated with Springbok Sevens.

Worst week ever

The build-up was less than ideal. First experienced campaigner Neil Powell’s Dubai injury ruled him out of George. Then squad member Deon Helberg was unhurt but involved in aircraft involved in an accident at George Airport. When Treu was forced to send Ryno Benjamin home for disciplinary issues, the writing was on the walls with a very large font.

A 12-12 draw against Kenya meant they had to settle for a runners-up position in the Pool and another quarter-final against guess who? Fiji. With captain Paul Delport injured things were turning farcical, especially when we learnt that some team laptops with confidential analysis on had also been pinched.

Another cup quarter-final exit followed the next day and when the Boks lost to England in the plate final in front of a disgruntled set of fans, it capped a miserable seven days for the World Series holders.

With so many injuries, the likes of Frankie Horne, Chase Minnaar and Mpho Mbiyozo and Marius Schoeman all played but although possessing the hustle and bustle, they were shown up from a speed perspective.

It makes you realise just how good Gio Aplon and Renfred Dazel were last season, sparking some life into the Boks when they needed it most with a slashing break or crucial touchdown. Treu needs to find some gas sharpish.

Kiwis old school values

Ironically despite the Boks spending more time together in a year they any other side they seem to be stuttering with the basics currently. Knock-ons, spilled passes, missed tackles were all seriously out of character for the side. Not that I would criticise Treu’s ‘system’ that he has successfully implemented over the last few years, but offensively it all seemed a bit protracted at times in Dubai and George.

A lack of urgency when chasing the game and some overly intricate moves and set pieces lacked potency.

Compare this to all New Zealand. Coach Gordon Tietjens had his concerns heading into a new Series that his side were undercooked. In comparison to the Boks the Kiwis had spent any time together and played in no tournaments of note in their preparation. So what was their secret?

Simple, they executed the basics superbly and their game was based around an often impenetrable black wall which their opponents couldn’t break at key times of big matches. In attack there were very few errors and the pinpointing nature of their passing was exemplary. With the wily Forbes, Cama, and Lawrence pulling the strings it all adds up to healthy place for the Kiwis heading to their home leg.

The training strategies and methodologies have made big strides in the abbreviated game throughout the noughties, with South Africa right at the fore-front of this. But fundamentally if you are rock solid in defense and take your chances you are going to win tournaments. That will never change in Sevens.

New goals

There may be Under-16 and Under-18 sides already training at Stellenbosch but in the short-term there seems to be a lack of players coming through. Treu has pointed the difficulty uncovering Sevens talent from the Vodacom Cup and Varsity Cup. With a huge dearth of decent provincial Sevens tournaments there appear to be structural problems underneath SA Sevens.

With the Series probably out the window for this year the national side need to re-evaluate and get those basics in check that they dealt with so well last season. A fit again Dazel is going to be a big bonus but still, it could be a long road ahead till Edinburgh.

In a similar way that you spiral out of contention in a flash in Sevens, some confidence boosting wins over some big teams in Wellington and Vegas can gives them some good momentum for a decent crack on that elusive first Hong Kong title.

First Treu will take a SA Vipers team to Uruguay's Punta-del-Este which also can band aid the recovery. Don’t write them off just yet, Paul Treu has the passion and ticker to drag his side through this for the better. It’s going to be fascinating viewing to see how they bounce back.