The Blitzboks arrive in Spain having already wrapped up the SVNS World Series title — the only side with a guaranteed core team berth for next season — but the World Championship at Valladolid this weekend is a different beast entirely. Their pool draw is no gimme: Australia, Kenya and Great Britain await, and Kenya in particular pushed them hard in Hong Kong. The broader danger is structural: the four qualifier sides fighting for top-eight spots bring desperation that makes the field unpredictable, and every core team has a target on the Blitzboks' backs. The squad absorbs the loss of Ronald Brown to injury but gets Ricardo Duarttee back — a proven performer who's had a frank reckoning with his own form and attitude since his last stint and sounds motivated to deliver. Gino Cupido and Dewald Human are also recalled. Cup day is where the Championship points are won, but the Blitzboks have to navigate a tricky pool first.