Ronald Brown of the Springboks Sevens squad recognizes their position as the prime contenders for the upcoming New York City event this weekend.
The 30-year-old athlete and his fellow players secured their third HSBC SVNS Series title of the season in Vancouver the previous weekend.
Their recent triumph has positioned the Blitzboks alongside Fiji at the pinnacle of the men’s standings, just before the sixth and concluding Series tournament of the 2025/26 cycle.
In anticipation of this weekend’s competition at New Jersey’s Sports Illustrated Stadium, Brown and his squad members have needed to refocus their efforts in preparation for two more days of demanding play.
“There’s so much at stake for us, so returning to a baseline mindset is crucial,” Brown commented. “We’ll be the marked team, and it’s essential we approach this with a clean slate. Our pursuit of an flawless performance continues, and we won’t be complacent with past achievements.”
Following their decisive 38-12 victory against Spain in the Vancouver SVNS championship match, South Africa has been assigned to Pool A, joining Australia, France, and New Zealand.
Having rejoined the Series after recovering from an injury that kept him out of Singapore and Perth, Brown distinguished himself at BC Place, with Tristan Leyds and Shilton van Wyk also earning considerable praise for their performances.
“Our forwards are powerful, so ensuring they maintain momentum is vital, and that’s a responsibility for the backs to ensure their continued involvement,” Brown stated. “This is where our contribution becomes significant.”
“I’m fortunate that the athletes sharing my position vigorously strive to elevate everyone’s performance. We maintain a high level of internal competition, which helps to unleash the optimal capabilities in each person.”
“Teammates such as Dewald Human, Tristan Leyds, and Selvyn Davids frequently offer me encouragement, fostering a highly positive atmosphere within the squad.”
