After celebrating a home triumph in Cape Town, the Springbok Sevens squad resets for a fresh challenge, with a special welcome of new players ahead of the HSBC SVNS Singapore.
Singapore (28 January 2026) – After an emotional high of lifting the trophy on home soil in Cape Town last month, the Blitzboks have touched down in Singapore, ready for another demanding weekend on the World Sevens Series calendar. The celebrations are over and the focus is reset. But before a ball is kicked, one moment away from the pitch has already stood out as they head into this weekend’s HSBC SVNS clashes.
A short video shared from inside the South African camp captured two uncapped players, Renaldo Young and Luan Giliomee, being officially welcomed into the matchday squad by their teammates. Just a tight huddle, a few honest words, and the symbolic swap from their training kit into the green and gold of the Springbok Sevens jersey.
Luan represented South Africa at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Trinidad & Tobago in 2023, the SA Schools and U18 sides in 2024, and toured Ireland and France with the SA U19 Academy last year. He joined the Blitzboks training squad from Durban late last year, where he was playing for the Hollywoodbets Sharks age group sides. While Renaldo represented the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers on the wing last year before he joined the Blitzboks squad on a dual contract.
Standing shoulder to shoulder, senior players addressed the newcomers with encouragement.
“You keep putting your hand up. You keep pushing. You ask questions. You show that you really want to be in the system. We need players like that.”
For Luan and Renaldo the task ahead is a demanding one. South Africa will face Great Britain, Spain and Fiji in pool play at the National Stadium on Saturday.
The Blitzboks may still be carrying the confidence of a home triumph, but in Singapore, it’s about starting again with new challenges and new faces pulling on the jersey for the first time.
by 