LA Sevens: Combined effort key for Blitzboks in cutting NZ's World Series lead

While the Blitzboks can boast five tournament victories on American soil over the years, they will have their work cut out for them in Los Angeles this weekend if they hope to cut New Zealand's lead at the top of the World Sevens Series log.

READ | Cheslin Kolbe: Boks in Six Nations would be 'massive, amazing'

Assistant coach Philip Snyman, one of the most successful Blitzboks of all time and who captained the side to consecutive World Series titles, believes a combined effort will be necessary to pull that off.

The Blitzboks, lying second on the World Series standings on 76 points, trail the New Zealanders by nine points.

"We need to understand where we are as a team – we are building, and everybody came into this tour with a different perspective," Snyman said after the team arrived in Los Angeles for the tournament.

"Some returned from injury, others are still finding their feet in the World Series, and others were given a chance to recover from niggles sustained at the last tournament.

"The pleasing part, though, is that the players coming back from injury are really looking sharp, and those back home who looked after their rehabilitation deserve a special mention. Ronald Brown and Mfundo Ndhlovu are sharp, and Travis Ismaiel's return is also a feather in the cap for our system, not only for giving him an opportunity with the Blitzboks but also to get him battle ready again."

Nothing to see here. Just a couple of Cape Town guys playing some cricket on a LA beach to get rid of the jet lag....@WorldRugby7s pic.twitter.com/FZZ0ylIm5D

It's been a frustrating season for South Africa that showed much promise to start, but also included several disappointing results. Snyman, however, believes that should they put in the necessary