BLITZBOK REYNDERS CAN’T WAIT TO TACKLE KIWIS AND FIJI THIS WEEKEND

ZANDER Reynders’ debut for the Blitzboks, a year ago at the Cape Town SVNS, was a surreal experience and to return to Cape Town Stadium where it all started was a reminder of how blessed his rugby career has been since.

The 24-year-old was a rookie draft into the wider Springbok Sevens training squad a year ago and after a lekker performance at the International Invitational tournament in Dubai, Blitzbok coach Philip Snyman trusted his instincts and included the UP-Tuks player in the squad for Cape Town.

Ryan Oosthuizen, one of the more experienced players in the squad, picked up a concussion in Dubai and Reynders took his spot innie Kaap, where South Africa went on to win the tournament for the first time since the inaugural event at Cape Town Stadium in 2015.

The rest, as they say, is history as Reynders – who also had to complete his final exams in Computer Science – went on to play in all the remaining SVNS tournaments, including the World Championship in Los Angeles, where the Blitzboks claimed the crown winners.

Reynders wysed: “Being back here makes me realise how fortunate I am and how much gratitude I feel.

“Last year was a bit of a rush for me, so I am happy that I can enjoy the whole experience of the Cape Town Sevens this time around, knowing what to expect much better and having a more settled understanding of my role in the team.”

Of what to expect this weekend, he added: “We are playing New Zealand and Fiji in our opening two games – both are big and physical.

“That means, we as forwards will have to counter that and make sure we dominate up front. If we can get momentum up front and control there, our backs will have space to play and express themselves. And we have seen how devastating they can be at times.”