Disappointing finish for World Champion Blitzboks in Bordeaux

Springbok Sevens head coach Philip Snyman congratulated all involved with the Blitzbok system after they secured a unique double in the 2026 season when they followed up their HSBC SVNS Series triumph by successfully defending their World Championship title.

“I am so very, very proud on this team, and to win both the World Series and the World Championship is a special feat indeed,” said Snyman.

“The fact that we won the Hong Kong tournament for the first time ever was probably the highlight of the World Championship, and along with playing in the final last weekend, that laid the foundation for us to retain our World Championship status.

“We did not make it easy for ourselves this weekend – we didn’t play our best rugby here in France and at times we were our own worst enemies, but the hard work done earlier in the championship race laid the foundation. I am so happy and proud to be associated with this team and system.”

Snyman said everyone involved with the Springbok Sevens system can rightfully feel proud, despite a weekend where they did not sustain their winning momentum.

“I am humbled and proud to be part of this squad,” he said. “We did not always play our best rugby but our effort could never be faulted.”

“Our aims and goals for the season are well known. We wanted to grow our depth, make every semi-final and start the momentum to make us the best system in the world.

“Fair to say we are not there yet but we are going in the right direction and for that I am very grateful. We introduced six or seven players to the world series and that will benefit is for the next season or two.

“It is great to have the backing of SA Rugby and the support we receive from South Africans are amazing. Most of our squad are contracted until 2028 and we are looking at bringing in a couple more talented players as we build towards the next Olympics.”

The Springbok Sevens, having won 37 matches during the 2026 season – more than any other team on the planet – failed to add to their winning tally on the final day of the HSBC SVNS World Championship in Bordeaux on Sunday and although they will be disappointed, they claimed the big prize by defending their World Championship title.

They achieved that goal on Saturday already and, with the job done, Impi Visser and his men can be excused for not setting the same standards on the final day, where they suffered a semi-final defeat to France and lost to Spain for the bronze medal.

Having to start the day with only 10 fit players and then also losing Visser before their final match was taxing enough but France and Spain deserve credit for leaving their best efforts for last.

An early knock-on and a spilled pass by the Blitzboks gave France the lead when they raced away to score but a try from 80m out by Tristan Leyds, superbly converted by Ricardo Duarttee from out wide, made it 7-7.

Duarttee then broke well and Sebastiaan Jobb almost went over, but he was forced into touch on the corner flag as the half-time whistle went.

The French scored first in the second half, again from an unforced error by South Africa. Leading 14-7, the hosts then got the crucial third try after they dominated a breakdown and at 21-7, they were in control.

Donavan Don made his trip to France earlier in the week worth his while with a long-range try but the French held on for a 21-12 win.

Against Spain in the third-place play-off, Shilton van Wyk scored early after kicking ahead and chasing down his own kick for his fourth try of the weekend in what was one of the Blitzboks’ best individual efforts in Bordeaux.

Spain fluffed their lines from the restart and from the resulting possession, Duarttee scored an acrobatic try, which he converted to give South Africa a 14-0 lead in midway through the first half.

But Spain scored next after a patient build-up, where they kept the ball alive in contact and eventually the SA defence faltered. Zain Davids was yellow carded for impeding on the pass and after that, South Africa imploded.

Spain immediately capitalised on that extra played and scored under the sticks when a desperate SA defence over-tracked to make it 14-14 at the break, and still playing against only six men, they made that 19-14 early in the second half.

The Spanish were on a roll and even when Davids returned, a well-executed lineout play handed then a fourth try and a 26-14 lead.

Duarttee was then yellow carded with three minutes left, which sealed the deal for Spain. Getting desperate on attack as they were running out of time, a long pass was intercepted by Spain, whose converted try made it 33-14.

Another unforced error, this time a charged down kick, allowed Spain to score a final try to rub salt into the wounds of the championship winning side.

Meanwhile, Mark Alexander, President of SA Rugby, congratulated the Springbok Sevens team on successfully defending their HSBC SVNS World Championship title, as well as Leyds and Van Wyk, who were rewarded at the HSBC SVNS Awards 2026 in Bordeaux on Sunday.

Leyds became the fourth South African to be crowned HSBC SVNS Player of the Year, when he edged out Fiji’s Vuiviwa Naduvalo and Henry Hutchison of Australia for the top award. He scored 124 points (16 tries and 22 conversions) in nine events this season, which was the second highest in the squad, where Van Wyk topped the points and try-scoring stakes with 160 points (32 tries).

“Tristan gave us many reasons to smile during the 2026 season and all of us involved in South African rugby are very proud of this humble and hard-working young man,” said Alexander.

“His ability to ignite the rest of the squad was something to behold, but rugby is a team sport and I’m sure Tristan will be the first to give credit to his teammates – the Blitzboks had a great season and we can’t wait for the next series to start, with our HSBC SVNS Cape Town one of the first stops in the new season.

“Equally so for Shilton, who was deservedly included in the HSBC SVNS Dream. He has been so instrumental for the Blitzboks on attack and defence, but his ability to score crucial tries in finals was so often the game breaker for the side. He was the leading try scorer for the team this season and being included in the Dream Team is just reward.”

Alexander also paid tribute to the Blitzboks, who made history with their 2026 performances, including winning back-to-back HSBC SVNS World Championships.

“The Blitzboks have once again lifted the spirit of our nation,” said Alexander.

“Their back‑to‑back triumph is not only a victory for rugby, but a celebration of South African determination and teamwork. We salute the players, coaches and management for their extraordinary effort and we thank our commercial partners and supporters for standing alongside us in this journey.

“To Philip Snyman as head coach, Impi Visser as captain and the rest of the squad and management, well done. To win tournaments in Cape Town, Perth, Vancouver, New York and then the ever elusive one in Hong Kong was a manifestation of your talent, grit and that you are indeed powered by unity.”

Snyman said Leyds was a worthy winner of the Men’s Player of the Year award: “He joined us over two years ago and has quickly grown into a senior player, someone who worked really hard to upskill himself to the demands of sevens rugby, while also remained a positive squad member.

“He is a worthy winner. I played with all three previous winners, Cecil Afrika, Werner Kok, and Seabelo Senatla, and coached Tristan. He is right up there with the best.”

Snyman also applauded leading try-scorer for the season, Van Wyk, who also made the season’s Dream Team: “I am very happy for Shilton too, named alongside Tristan in the Dream Team. If I had my way, the seven players would all be from the Blitzboks, but then, I am biased after all,” Snyman smiled.

Previous winners

2011 Cecil Afrika

2015 Werner Kok

2016 Seabelo Senatla

Scores

Third-place play-off: South Africa 14 (14), Spain 40 (14)

SA – Tries: Shilton van Wyk, Ricardo Duarttee. Conversions: Duarttee (2).

Spain – Tries: Juan Ramos (2), Francisco Cosculluela, Josep Serres, Pol Pla, Angel Bozal. Conversions: Ramos (4), Francisco Cosculluela.

Semi-final: South Africa 12 (7), France 21 (7)

SA – Tries: Tristan Leyds, Donavan Don. Conversion: Ricardo Duarttee.

France – Tries: Enahemo Artaud, Rayan Rebbadj, Antoine Zeghdar. Conversions: Rebbadj, Artaud, Paulin Riva.

2026 HSBC SVNS results

29-30 November: Dubai - NZL/NZL

6-7 December: Cape Town - SA/AUS

31 January-1 February: Singapore - FIJI/NZL

7-8 February: Perth - SA/NZL

7-8 March: Vancouver - SA/NZL

14-15 March: New York - SA/NZL

17-19 April: Hong Kong (World Championship Series, Round 1) - SA/NZL

29-31 May: Valladolid (World Championship Series, Round 2) - AUS/AUS

5-7 June: Bordeaux (World Championship Series, Round 3) - FRA/AUS