The South African Sevens team will look to extend a run of total dominance on the HSBC SVNS circuit when they take the field in Hong Kong on Friday morning, targeting a fourth consecutive tournament victory.The Blitzboks arrive at the iconic Hong Kong Stadium as the form side of the 2025/26 series after lifting trophies in Cape Town, Perth, and Vancouver. Another win this weekend would mark their longest streak since the 2016/17 season and further tighten their grip on top spot in the overall standings.
Head coach Philip Snyman’s side has combined trademark defensive pressure with improved attacking accuracy. Across the last three tournaments, South Africa conceded the fewest tries per game and topped the breakdown turnover count. The return of playmaker Selvyn Davids has added control, while the pace of Shilton van Wyk and Quewin Nortje has given the Blitzboks strike power out wide.Captain Siviwe Soyizwapi said the group is not looking at records yet. “Hong Kong is its own challenge. The conditions, the crowd, the history – you have to respect it. We’re just focusing on our first game and our standards,” he told media on Thursday.
South Africa has been drawn in Pool A alongside Australia, Great Britain, and Spain. They open their campaign against Spain at 11:44 SAST on Friday morning, followed by Great Britain later in the day. A top-two finish secures a quarter-final spot on Saturday.The Blitzboks beat Australia 19-12 in the Vancouver final last month, while Great Britain pushed them close in the Perth semi-final. Spain, traditionally a lower-ranked side, caused an upset against New Zealand in Cape Town and cannot be taken lightly. Four titles in a row would equal the South African record set in 2008/09 and strengthen their lead in the SVNS standings with only Singapore and Madrid remaining before the Grand Final. It would also mark their sixth Hong Kong title overall, having last won the event in 2019 before the Covid-19 disruption.New Zealand and Argentina remain the closest challengers on the log, but both have dropped points in recent stops. Fiji, seven-time Hong Kong champions, are rebuilding under a new coaching staff and sit mid-table.
South Africa v Spain kicks off at 05:44 GMT / 11:44 SAST on Friday. All matches will be broadcast live on SuperSport and the SVNS app.If the Blitzboks maintain the defensive line-speed and breakdown dominance that defined their last three wins, Friday morning could be the first step toward another weekend of South African celebration in Hong Kong.
