The Blitzboks “messed up” in Dubai and want to set the record straight in Cape Town this coming weekend.
Having lost to England in the quarterfinal of the Cup tournament in Dubai, before losing to Fiji in the fifth-place playoff, captain Philip Snyman knows they were disappointing in the desert.
Snyman says: “We messed up here in Dubai, so it is our job to fix it in Cape Town.”
The Blitzboks will look to make it third-time lucky after not winning their home tournament in the last two attempts.
Of the upcoming event, Snyman adds: “We will have great support from fans and family, but it will be our responsibility to improve on our performance.”
Snyman says their performance in Dubai was a reality check and that they now know that they can’t just pitch up in Cape Town and expect the first win of their series title defence.
He adds: “It was a reality check too, you cannot just rock up and expect things must happen for you.
“We lacked that focus, especially early on.”
Meanwhile, the Blitzboks will play in a Nelson Mandela-inspired jersey at Cape Town Stadium this weekend.
Werner Kok, right, poses with Saturday’s kit.