The Blitzboks return to Stellenbosch next week with a historic Hong Kong title in hand, turning their attention immediately to the HSBC SVNS World Championship in Valladolid, Spain, from May 29-31.
Sweeper Ronald Brown, reflecting on the 35-7 final victory over Argentina that ended South Africa's 28-year wait for Hong Kong glory — their only previous final appearance there was a 1997 Rugby World Cup Sevens defeat to Fiji — stressed the result would serve as motivation rather than a comfort blanket.
"The win that eluded so many Blitzbok sides was huge and we are all so relieved the bogey is no more," Brown said. "More importantly from that win, though, was the way we achieved that. We again realised that if we play the way our coaches have prepared us, we are a hard team to beat."
Brown also flagged the mental dimension of the Hong Kong campaign, noting the side recovered from a difficult opening day to find their rhythm. "We started poorly on day one, but once we applied our minds, success followed — so that was another reminder that we need to be ready, not only physically but mentally too."
In Valladolid, South Africa have been drawn in Pool A alongside Australia, Kenya and Great Britain. Pool B features Argentina, New Zealand, Uruguay and Germany, while Spain, Fiji, France and the US make up Pool C.