The Blitzboks are really going to need the help of Capetonians this coming weekend if they are to lift the South African leg trophy of the Sevens Series.
Not only did South Africa lose in the Cup quarterfinal to England and then to Fiji in the fifth-place playoff, but they also went down to Argentina during the group phase.
I, for one, didn’t expect coach Neil Powell’s charges to win the Series opener like they did in previous years.
And the reasoning for that is simple: they lost too many big stars.
A scan through the squad that went to Dubai and it was clear that the South African Sevens team is in a rebuilding phase.
INJURY PROBLEMS: Cecil Afrika. Photo: RYAN WILKISKY/BACKPAGEPIX
For a Sevens team to lose the likes of Seabelo Senatla, Ruhan Nel and Cecil Afrika is a big blow.
With the Sevens Academy team, South Africa has built some depth in the Sevens game.
But to expect the likes of Impi Visser and Ryan Oosthuizen to come in and light up the circuit from the off is a bit tough.
Powell did well to add experience to his squad in former captain Kyle Brown, but you have to ask whether he still has the same punch as he had when he captained the team a few years ago.
I’ve got no doubt that we will once again be a force to be reckoned with on the world circuit, but what Powell now needs is time.
And the Cape Town crowd.
With the likes of Justin Geduld and Rosko Specman having what it takes to win matches and tournaments on their own, they will need help from the eighth man.
That’s where you come in.
CENTRAL FIGURE: Ruhan Nel is a 15s player. Photo: MONICA DAVEY/EPA
This weekend, at home, might just give these youngsters the confidence to perform their skill to the best of their ability this season.
Not having won the tournament in the last two attempts, the Blitzboks will come to the Mother City under pressure.
But instead of putting the pressure on them, fans should understand that they are indeed in a rebuilding phase and should encourage them as such.
On paper, I don’t think the Blitzboks are as feared as they used to be by their rivals.
And with them having won the last two Series, they will undoubtedly be marked.
So if Cape Town and South Africa can truly get behind the boys, they might just push them over the line.