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Cape Town - Sevens veteran Branco du Preez says the Blitzboks need to step up their defence if they hope to win the Cape Town Sevens this weekend.
South Africa slipped a number of tackles in Dubai in a tournament where they finished in a disappointing sixth position.
“We need to make better tackles than last week,” said Du Preez, who has amassed 1 175 points for the Springbok Sevens team in 310 matches.
“We were not at our best, but that is in the past now. This weekend in Cape Town is all that matters. We are expecting good support and we hope to give the Blitzboks supporters something to cheer about.”
On facing New Zealand in their final pool match on Saturday evening, Du Preez said: “They are playing a very basic game plan and limit their mistakes. They are also very patient on attack and only strike when they see the defence is stretching.
“So we need to make sure we make dominant tackles against them in order to throw them off their rhythm on attack.”
Earlier on Saturday, the Blitzboks face Samoa and Zimbabwe, and the Blitzboks will want to start their campaign well, according to Du Preez“We respect all teams and will not look past our first two opponents,” said Du Preez.
“We want to make a statement this weekend and that will start in the first game on Saturday.”
