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George - The Springbok Sevens squad will have to show unity in everything they do to succeed at the Emirates Airlines George SA Sevens this week, coach Paul Treu said on Wednesday.
"The faster you become a unit, the faster it will start showing in results," he said.
The team's goal this week was to pick up where they left off in Dubai last week when they beat Australia 19-12 to win the plate final of the desert leg of the HSBC World Sevens Series.
"Confidence and the belief the players gained in their abilities after last week’s performances is what we will look to build on this weekend," said Treu.
The relatively inexperienced Springbok Sevens squad's confidence will be boosted by the support they expect from the local community.
Nearly 3000 fans turned up to get the "BlitzBokke's" autographs at a pre-tournament signing session in the Western Cape city.
Treu said the harmony in his team was almost the same as it was when they won the George-leg in 2008.
"When we won the tournament here two years ago we were a tight-knit unit and we made it difficult for opponents to break our lines.
"And, even when they did get past us the guys showed great commitment in chasing down their opponents, and that is the type of energy we will need this weekend."
The Dubai tournament was the first taste of top-flight sevens rugby for six of the men who represented South Africa last week.
After a nervous start on the first day, the young guns started playing with more comfort and that showed in what they achieved the following day.
"There [were] definitely signs of improvement on the second day in Dubai and I cannot remember when last we had a 19-7 lead over Fiji," said Treu.
"And then there was the brave fight-back the guys staged against Australia [in last week’s plate final] which showed the character that is in this team," he said.
The Springboks face Zimbabwe, Portugal and Argentina in Pool D and will be well aware of the upsets these sides caused in the opening tournament.
