Ahead of the commencement of the new HSBC SVNS campaign, Ryan Oosthuizen has underscored the significance of upholding elevated standards within the Blitzboks team.
This weekend, the 30-year-old is aiming to secure his seventh championship title in Dubai. Last year, he faced an early exit from the competition due to a concussion, witnessing the team’s premature departure in the quarter-finals.
Prior to his team’s journey from Cape Town to the Middle East, before their return to the Western Cape for their home event, Oosthuizen conveyed his anticipation of a challenging season ahead.
Drawn alongside Argentina, Fiji, and France, the 2024/25 World Championship victors recognise the necessity of performing at their absolute best right from the initial kickoff.
“The structure for this season has undergone changes, and it promises to be a fiercely contested battle,” Oosthuizen stated. “With participation limited to the top eight teams, each match will possess the intensity of a final, and one should anticipate a high level of competition in every game, starting from the first one in the pool. Our execution must be impeccable from the very beginning.”
Oosthuizen stands as the most seasoned player selected in Philip Snyman’s squad for the season’s inaugural event.
Set to participate in his 57th World Series tournament this weekend, the 30-year-old has been a consistent presence since his debut in Hong Kong back in 2016.
During his tenure with the Blitzboks, he has contributed to three Series-winning teams, a World Championship victory, and an Olympic bronze medal.
In conjunction with other mainstays like Zain Davids, Selvyn Davids, and Impi Visser, the collective has articulated their ambition to reclaim the top spot.
“Several of us have been representing this team since 2016, and we have numerous players with extensive experience, fostering strong familiarity among us,” Oosthuizen noted. “I believe this will aid us in navigating challenging situations. We possess a deep understanding of each other’s strengths and weaknesses, enabling us to adapt accordingly.
“We dedicated substantial effort over the past few weeks during the various phases of our pre-season, and we are poised for action. Everyone is filled with enthusiasm at the prospect of donning the green and gold once more, and we will be fully prepared.”
