THE Blitzboks are ready to let the “Gino” out of the bottle when they face Uruguay, Australia and New Zealand in their pool at the Hong Kong SVNS, which moves to a new venue this year, the 50 000-seater Kai Tak Stadium.
The Springbok Sevens had no luck at the previous venue, the Hong Kong Stadium, in almost three decades, and a change of venue could mean a change of fortunes, although coach Philip Snyman did not leave anything to chance in the lead-up to the fifth tournament of the season.
They have been testing their opening day plans for Uruguay and Australia on the training field since their arrival on Monday, and on Friday, it is all about implementation, according to Snyman, who also has a new joker in his pack of cards.
Part of Snyman’s confidence this weekend is vested in consistent form since winning innie Kaap in December, as well as the ability of the squad, with Dewald Human and Zain Davids returning for this weekend, while the uncapped Gino Cupido will be an unknown factor.
Snyman says: “Zain’s power is well documented and Dewald is such an old head in this game, so it is great having them around again.
“Dewald also was great in aiding Gino, whom I predict to achieve great things in rugby. He may only be 19 years old but is full of potential and a player I rate highly already.
“We will need him during the tournament to do his thing and he is fortunate to have some very experienced players around him when that moment arrives.”
The hype and anticipation are real, said Cupido, a native of Sir Lowry’s Pass Village and former Strand High School pupil, and he is taking everything in with a deep breath of excitement.
Cupido says: “This is a dream achieved, rather than a dream coming true. To be pulling that jersey over my head tomorrow [Friday] will be very special for me and my family and to do that at such an iconic event will even make it more special.”
South Africa face Uruguay (11.56am) and Australia (2.39pm) on Friday, and New Zealand (7.43am) on Saturday in Pool B action.