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Latest News
Rugby World Cup Sevens - South Africa 2022
3 min read

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

“You only live once”: History maker Sharni Williams targets 15s challenge after RWC Sevens 2022 success

Williams will join up with the Wallaroos squad for Rugby World Cup 2021 having completed a unique quadruple with Australia in Cape Town.

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Tue 13 September, 2022
3 min read
Rugby World Cup Sevens - South Africa 2022
2 min read

RWC Sevens 2022

Angelo Davids pays emotional tribute to Neil Powell

Blitzboks star says his departing coach, who presided over the most successful period in South Africa sevens history, is like a father figure to him.

RWC Sevens 2022

Tue 13 September, 2022
2 min read
Rugby World Cup Sevens - South Africa 2022
5 min read

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022: How an “incredible” weekend unfolded

Following the conclusion of RWC Sevens 2022 in Cape Town, we recap some of the highlights from a truly special weekend.

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Mon 12 September, 2022
5 min read
Rugby World Cup Sevens - South Africa 2022
9 min read

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Fiji and Australia crowned Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 champions in Cape Town

Fiji claimed their third men’s Rugby World Cup Sevens title by beating defending champions New Zealand, while Australia’s women took down New Zealand to win the title for the first time since 2009 in Cape Town.

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Sun 11 September, 2022
9 min read
Rugby World Cup Sevens - South Africa 2022
7 min read

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Ireland stun hosts South Africa as semi-finals confirmed at Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Ireland earned a superb win over the Blitzboks in the final game of an intense day of quarter-final action that also saw defending champions New Zealand remain on course to defend their title in the men’s and women’s events

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Sat 10 September, 2022
7 min read
Latest Videos
Perry Time | Episode 2
09:58 mins

Perry Time | Episode 2

Thu 15 September, 2022
09:58 mins
Seven of the Best | Rugby World Cup 7s | Men's Tries
04:17 mins

Seven of the Best | Rugby World Cup 7s | Men's Tries

Thu 15 September, 2022
04:17 mins
Seven of the Best | Rugby World Cup 7s | Women's Tries
03:24 mins

Seven of the Best | Rugby World Cup 7s | Women's Tries

Thu 15 September, 2022
03:24 mins
TUDOR presents every Daring Play of the Day from Rugby World Cup 7s: Women's
01:05 mins

TUDOR presents every Daring Play of the Day from Rugby World Cup 7s: Women's

Catch up on all the Daring Plays of the Day from the women’s competition at #RWC7s
Tue 13 September, 2022
01:05 mins
TUDOR presents every Daring Play of the Day: Men's Rugby World Cup 7s
01:09 mins

TUDOR presents every Daring Play of the Day from Rugby World Cup 7s: Men's

Relive all the best Daring Plays of the Day from the men's tournament at #RWC7s
Mon 12 September, 2022
01:09 mins
HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series
Tuesday 05 April, 2022
3 min read

Perfection, not silverware, the focus for South Africa and Selvyn Davids

We caught up with the Blitzboks star, who has helped guide his side to the top of the men’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series standings as the countdown continues to their home Rugby World Cup Sevens.
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Selvyn Davids acknowledges it is “every team’s dream” to win the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series and Rugby World Cup Sevens, but there is no chance in-form South Africa will look any further ahead than this weekend in Singapore.

The Blitzboks lead the current men’s Series standings having won six successive tournaments in 2021 and 2022 to put a disappointing campaign at the Tokyo Olympic Games firmly behind them.

Davids has been a prolific presence in that run, scoring 111 points in four 2022 events, but any suggestion that South Africa could secure silverware on the Series and at their home RWC Sevens is quickly swatted away.

Tokyo Olympic finalists Fiji and New Zealand are scheduled to make their long-awaited Series return in Singapore, and Davids is mindful that the challenge facing the Blitzboks is only going to get tougher.

“There’s a lot of pressure on us at the moment, but we just told ourselves that we can't focus on the winning streak we have,” he told World Rugby.

“Now that New Zealand and Fiji are coming back, we know they're bringing something different through their game than any other team on the circuit.

“So, our focus just has to stay up there and like we always do, we take every game as a final because we know there's no easy game on the circuit, every team is stepping up. Every team has been playing there for a while now.

"He talks to the ball, and it listens"

He makes things happen for the @Blitzboks 🇿🇦 Happy Birthday Selvyn Davids! 🥳 pic.twitter.com/QzXXWkKtO9

— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) March 26, 2022

“Even without Fiji and New Zealand on the circuit the past few tournaments, we just knew we had to stay focused and just focus on ourselves and try to be the best that we can, try to get as close as possible to perfection.”

Guiding young Blitzbok talent

That search for perfection will begin again on Saturday when they take on Canada in Singapore’s National Stadium looking to extend their 34-match winning run on the Series.

South Africa’s form has been aided by the emergence of exciting young stars such as Ronald Brown and Shaun Williams, as Davids has become one of the more experienced players in the squad.

“There’s a lot of talent in the youngsters in the squad,” Davids said.

“The most important role for me is just to keep them calm whenever it's getting tough. So, that's the only thing I try to do, and I've been getting it right for a few tournaments now.

“So, if I can just keep that up… I've done what I'm trying to do.”

South Africa won the last Series that led into a RWC Sevens, in 2018, but had to settle for a bronze medal at the quadrennial tournament after losing to England in the semi-finals in San Francisco.

Davids admits the Blitzboks have “struggled with the one-off tournaments” in recent years but hopes the side has learnt the lessons of those defeats as they continue a busy year that includes the Commonwealth Games as well as RWC Sevens in Cape Town.

“We lost our cool, I think [at RWC Sevens 2018],” Davids said. “We just lost a bit of focus in the World Cup 2018.

“Because we won the World Series, we thought it was going to happen and now... I think we learn from our mistakes and again, we're going to do better, we hope to do better, we plan to do better.”

“Home World Cup is something else”

The focus for Davids and South Africa remains the matches against Canada, Kenya and the USA on day one in Singapore but it is only natural that anticipation is building for RWC Sevens 2022.

South Africa have never won RWC Sevens, losing the final against Fiji in 1997, so to end their wait for the title in front of their own fans would be a special achievement.

“It’s quite exciting, especially that we know that the stadium can be half-full at the moment [due to COVID-19 restrictions]. Hopefully, we can get it full by then,” Davids said.

“But a home World Cup is just something else. I mean, the World Cup alone, whether it's in South Africa or Japan or New Zealand, a World Cup, it's something huge, it's a one-off tournament, it only comes every fourth year.

“So, for us, having it at home, it's something huge. We're excited, but it's not something we focus on right now.

“We have Singapore and then Vancouver after that, so we're only focusing on the next tournament in hand.”

That approach is sensible but is winning the Series-RWC Sevens double a target for the Blitzboks? “It’s every team's dream to win the World Cup and to win the World Series,” Davids admitted.

“That's the goal, but that's not our focus. We just plan to be as perfect as possible, as close to perfect as possible.”

Trending News Show all
2023 Sydney Sevens - Day 3
4 min read

World Rugby Sevens Series

New Zealand tighten grip on top spots, race to Paris 2024

Following an exhilarating three days at Allianz Stadium, we take a look at what the results mean for the men’s and women’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2023.

World Rugby Sevens Series

Mon 30 January, 2023
4 min read
HSBC Sydney Sevens winners
10 min read

HSBC Sydney Sevens

Double glory for New Zealand at HSBC Sydney Sevens

The Black Ferns Sevens and All Blacks Sevens increase their leads at the top of the standings with emphatic victories, against France and South Africa respectively.

HSBC Sydney Sevens

Sun 29 January, 2023
10 min read
2023 Sydney Sevens - Day 2
5 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

France men and women shock hosts at HSBC Sydney Sevens

Cup semi-finalists in the men's and women's tournaments have been decided after a brilliant day two in Australia.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Sat 28 January, 2023
5 min read
2023 Sydney Sevens - Day 1
7 min read

HSBC Sydney Sevens

Big comebacks and top tries as the HSBC Sydney Sevens returns in style

We review the opening day’s play from Australia where New Zealand, leaders in both of the Series, maintained their winning momentum.

HSBC Sydney Sevens

Fri 27 January, 2023
7 min read
Dubai Emirates Airline Rugby Sevens
6 min read

HSBC Sydney Sevens

Big names and new faces – your HSBC Sydney Sevens squads

On a weekend when Gastón Revol will equal James Rodwell's record for most HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series tournament appearances, we take a look at the key squad news in both the men’s and women’s events.

HSBC Sydney Sevens

Thu 26 January, 2023
6 min read
Gaston Revol and Santiago Gomez Cora
4 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Gastón Revol constantly renewing goals as he approaches Series record

Argentina's Gastón Revol will equal James Rodwell's record for most HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series tournament appearances when he plays in Sydney this weekend.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Wed 25 January, 2023
4 min read
HSBC Sydney Sevens
2 min read

Rugby sevens

HSBC Sydney Sevens ready for action

The world-famous Sydney Harbour Bridge provided the backdrop as captains of the 28 men’s and women’s teams gathered ahead of the HSBC Sydney Sevens which kicks off on Friday, 27 January.

Rugby sevens

Wed 25 January, 2023
2 min read
HSBC New Zealand Sevens 2020 - Men's
3 min read

World Rugby Sevens Series

Kenya legend Collins Injera calls time on illustrious playing career

The second highest try scorer in HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series history said that “after 17 years of literal blood, sweat and tears, it’s time to step away”.

World Rugby Sevens Series

Tue 24 January, 2023
3 min read
HSBC New Zealand Sevens - Day 2
3 min read

World Rugby Sevens Series

Argentina, New Zealand and USA the big winners on road to Paris 2024

Following a pulsating HSBC New Zealand Sevens, we take a look at what the results mean for the standings and the race for Olympic qualification.

World Rugby Sevens Series

Mon 23 January, 2023
3 min read
HSBC New Zealand Sevens 2023 winners
6 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Argentina and New Zealand the winners in Hamilton

A dramatic day two of HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series action ends a breathless weekend.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Sun 22 January, 2023
6 min read
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