Shilton van Wyk, the spirited Blitzboks player, is looking forward to what he hopes will be a significant year in the HSBC SVNS series.
Since his introduction to the squad in 2022, the 25-year-old has become a consistent presence, contributing to six tournament victories.
Van Wyk is set to resume his world series campaign in Dubai in late November, followed by Cape Town, where the South African team will aim to retain their championship from the previous year.
“My aspiration is to truly impact this year,” Van Wyk shared. “We’ve set clear goals for the season, with Dubai and Cape Town being key focus points. Despite past successes in these tournaments, my motivation to achieve more remains strong.”
A strong performance in Dubai and Cape Town could provide an ideal launch for South Africa, who enter this season as the reigning SVNS World Championship victors after their triumph in Los Angeles last May.
This contrasts sharply with the Blitzboks’ start to the 2024/25 season, where a quarter-final defeat by New Zealand in Dubai ended their streak of seven wins in the past eight years in that location.
Now, six months after their victory in California, Van Wyk and his teammates have undergone rigorous offseason training under the guidance of head coach Philip Snyman.
Returning to winning form in the Middle East and subsequently defending their Cape Town title are central to Van Wyk’s mindset as tournament time approaches in two weeks.
“I believe we’re making good progress, and the squad possesses significant depth in all positions this year, leading to intense competition for spots in the Dubai and Cape Town teams,” he noted.
“We recognize the importance of securing a home victory, and everyone is eager to replicate that success when we return in December.”
In addition to his goals with the Blitzboks, Van Wyk also harbors personal ambitions.
Alongside delivering outstanding individual performances, the 25-year-old aims to reach a personal milestone of 35 appearances in SVNS tournaments.
Participating in eight tournaments this season would allow him to surpass the career totals of several esteemed Blitzboks players.
“Reaching 35 tournaments is a significant objective for me, as it’s a celebrated milestone within the squad,” Van Wyk explained.
“To achieve that, I need consistent selection throughout the season, which means maintaining peak form to secure my place in the team and avoiding injuries.
“If I reach 35, I’ll be content, and if we can add more tournament wins to our record, that would be even better.”
