From humble beginnings to global glory: The story of the modern Blitzboks isn't just about trophies; it's a testament to the unifying power of shared experience and a battered jersey. Former Blitzbok player Chris Dry offers an intimate look at the heart and soul of the South African Sevens team as the HSBC SVNS Series hits Cape Town.
Dry, now a World Rugby commentator, doesn't start with the wins and medals. Instead, he paints a picture of the players' lives before they even touch a rugby ball.
"In South Africa, we're always fighting for something," Dry explains. "Some are fighting for survival, others for a better future." This reality creates a unique melting pot within the Springboks Sevens program, a place where diverse backgrounds converge, often unseen by fans, forming the bedrock of a high-performance environment.
"We had guys who barely had enough to eat growing up, standing next to those from top schools," Dry recalls. But here's where it gets controversial... In most cases, these starkly different upbringings could fracture a team. Yet, the Blitzboks use these differences to forge an unbreakable bond.
Dry remembers Frankie Horne's powerful words after a poor performance: "Just by being here, each of us is literally taking food out of someone else's mouth." It wasn't about guilt; it was a reminder of the privilege and responsibility that came with every moment. "You start to care in a different way," Dry says. "You understand how much this opportunity means to the guy next to you and to his family."
Branco du Preez's journey exemplifies this. Growing up far from rugby's power structures, he found a lifeline in the Harmony Academy, a sports college for disadvantaged youth. He went on to become the most capped Springboks Sevens player in history. "He came from a place where opportunity barely existed," Dry says. Now, he's a legend, coaching and mentoring young players who see their own lives reflected in his story.
Cecil Afrika's story, also transformed by the Harmony Academy, is another shining example. Afrika, South Africa's all-time sevens points scorer and 2011 World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year, is now the head coach of the national women's sevens team.
This team culture, built on diversity, hard work, and gratitude, has also launched players overlooked by the traditional 15-a-side game. Cheslin Kolbe, Kurt-Lee Arendse, and Kwagga Smith, all now World Cup winners, found their opportunity in sevens.
The modern Blitzboks' culture began under Paul Treu, who understood the need for a strong, shared identity. He created a cultural manual that every new player had to study. Dry recalls Warren Whiteley's surprise when he was told to learn about the team culture before he even trained. The Blitzboks won gold at the Commonwealth Games that year.
After Treu, Neil Powell evolved the team, allowing for more individual expression. Players like du Preez, Afrika, and Justin Geduld started wearing colored dreadlock braids, a quiet revolution in the rigid world of South African rugby. "That was a really big thing for us," Dry confirms, "because we weren't traditionally all that flashy. It showed a bit more of who we are."
And this is the part most people miss... The single defining symbol of the team is the paddatjie.
"Paddatjie in Afrikaans literally means 'little frog'," Dry explains. It's the plain, often torn, hand-me-down training jersey given to new members. It carries no Springbok emblem and symbolizes the team's ethos. "You don't get the full Springbok training shirt until you've earned your place."
While other teams celebrate the first match shirt, the true honor in South African Sevens is training with your squad. It's about being a teammate.
When Christie Grobbelaar graduated out of his paddatjie, Dry presented him with his full training shirt. Grobbelaar went on to wear Dry's old No.1 playing shirt. "You get to use that jersey for as long as you can or as long as you're good enough. But when you hand it off, the next guy takes the responsibility. When you get it, you don't take it for granted.”
This team is a brotherhood, bridging divides in South African society. Every Blitzboks star, regardless of background, starts their journey in that torn paddatjie.
What do you think? Does this unique team culture contribute to their success? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Just the stats:
- Chris Dry: 74 SVNS tournaments, 98 tries, debut 2009-10 Adelaide. RWC 7s 2013, 2014 Comm Games, Tokyo 2020
- Branco du Preez: 85 SVNS tournaments, 101 tries, debut Wellington 2010, 2020 Tokyo Olympics, 2014 and 2018 comm games, RWC 7s 2013
- Cecil Afrika: 66 SVNS tournaments, 179 tries, 1,462 points, debut 2009 Dubai. RWC 7s 2013 & 2022, Comm Games 2010, 2014, 2018, Rio 2016 Olympics
