From Torn Shirts to Team Triumph: Inside the Making of the Modern Blitzbok
CAPE TOWN – Beyond the dazzling tries and tournament victories, the South african Sevens team, the Blitzboks, have forged a unique identity built on humility, brotherhood, and a symbolic piece of worn-out kit: the “little frog.” This unassuming training jersey, handed to new recruits, embodies the ethos of a team that has quietly revolutionized south African rugby and become a beacon of unity in a nation frequently enough divided.
The Blitzboks’ journey to becoming a consistent force in world sevens rugby wasn’t always marked by fanfare. Chris Dry, a veteran of 74 SVNS tournaments, recalls a period where the team deliberately shied away from excessive celebration. “That was a really big thing for us,” Dry confirms, “as we weren’t traditionally all that flashy.It showed a bit more of who we are.”
But the defining element of the Blitzboks isn’t a flashy playing style or outspoken confidence; it’s the little frog. In Afrikaans, “little frog” literally means ‘little frog,’ and it’s the name given to the plain, battered, hand-me-down training jersey every new player receives before official induction. Frequently enough torn and unwashed, the jersey represents a crucial step in earning a place within the squad. “You don’t get the full Springbok training shirt until you’ve earned your place,” Dry explains.
This tradition flips the script on typical national team dynamics. While most players celebrate receiving their first match shirt,the true honor for the Blitzboks lies in the shared experience of training alongside their teammates – in being a teammate. the little frog signifies a commitment to the collective, a willingness to prove oneself through hard work and dedication.
Current Blitzbok player Christie Grobbelaar’s graduation from his little frog was a moment of particular significance.Chris Dry had the honour of presenting him with his full training shirt, a gesture that came full circle when Grobbelaar went on to wear dry’s old No.1 playing shirt on the HSBC SVNS Series. “You get to use that jersey for provided that you can or as long as you’re good enough. But when you hand it off, the next guy takes the responsibility. When you get it, you don’t take it for granted,” Dry says. he even reached out to Grobbelaar’s father upon his debut, expressing his pride.
This emphasis on camaraderie has fostered a brotherhood that transcends the societal divisions prevalent in South Africa.every Blitzboks star, irrespective of their background, begins their journey in that same torn shirt, united by a shared purpose and a common ethos.
The success of the Blitzboks is reflected in the impressive statistics of its key players:
Chris Dry – 74 SVNS tournaments, 98 tries, debut 2009-10 Adelaide. RWC 7s 2013, 2014 Comm Games, Tokyo 2020
White du Preez – 85 SVNS tournaments, 101 tries, debut Wellington 2010, 2020 Tokyo Olympics, 2014 and 2018 Comm Games, RWC 7s 2013
Cecil Africa – 66 SVNS tournaments, 179 tries, 1,462 points, debut 2009 Dubai.RWC 7s 2013 & 2022, Comm Games 2010, 2014, 2018, Rio 2016 olympics.
