Soyizwapi optimistic as 'excited' Blitzboks aim for Birmingham podium

Blitzboks captain Siviwe Soyizwapi says they are looking forward to giving their best and bringing home a medal at this week's Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

The Blitzboks are drawn in a relative 'easy' Group B alongside Scotland, Tonga and Malaysia.

South Africa sealed gold at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and claimed two bronze medals at the 2002 and 2010 Games.

At the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, the Blitzboks, then led by Kyle Brown, missed out on a medal as they lost to England in the bronze playoff.

Soyizwapi and Zain Davids are the only squad members who will make their second appearance at the Commonwealth Games.

Blitzboks squad for 2022 Commonwealth Games:

Sakoyisa Makata, Christie Grobbelaar, James Murphy, Zain Davids, Angelo Davids, JC Pretorius, Ronald Brown, Selvyn Davids, Shaun Williams, Dewald Human, Siviwe Soyizwapi (captain), Muller du Plessis, Mfundo Ndhlovu

Soyizwapi says his side will put their best foot forward as they aim to collect their fourth Commonwealth Games medal in the three-day sevens event.

"We worked a bit on our defence and [we're] happy with how that went. The boys are in really good spirits and excited for the weekend," said Soyizwapi.

"In 2018 at Gold Coast, we had an opportunity, but unfortunately, we didn't manage to medal there so we're looking forward to give our best efforts in this 2022 Games in Birmingham.

"But we're really excited. It's great to be here in the UK during summer and we're just looking forward to play."

At last year's Tokyo Olympics, the Covid-hit Blitzboks were knocked out of the quarter-finals by Argentina before finishing fifth.

It was disappointing for the Blitzboks, but they returned strong in the ongoing World Rugby Sevens Series.

The Springbok