Specman happy, at home with Blitzboks

Published on

Rosko Specman says he feels at home after starring in his first tournament back with the Blitzboks as they claimed gold at the Dubai Sevens last weekend. DYLAN JACK reports.

Specman starred as the Blitzboks bagged the Dubai Sevens title for the first time since 2017 for a successful start to the 2019-20 World Sevens Series.

The 30-year-old scored four tries in his first Sevens Series tournament since leaving the Blitzboks to play for the Vodacom Bulls this year.

‘I must say that the guys made it easy for me,’ Specman comments on his impressive form. ‘It is always a privilege to come back. The guys put me in a space where I feel comfortable doing my thing. They made sure I got clean ball and if we as the sweepers get clean ball, that is where we are dangerous.

‘The nicest thing for myself was how I grew as the tournament progressed. As you saw, in the first game against Kenya the guys were struggling to find each other. As the weekend went on, we improved with every game.

‘When I got back, the guys made me feel like I am back home again. That is the nicest thing about the system. No matter where you go, when you return you feel like you are back home. The coaches told me they would focus on getting me fit and as I got fitter, I would find myself in the system. As you saw last weekend, I found myself in the system.’

ALSO READ: Dayimani excited to join Blitzboks

The Blitzboks are back in the country and looking to make home advantage count in the Cape Town Sevens this weekend. Specman says there are improvements the team can make as the tournament stretches over three days for the first time in its history.

‘There are always improvements. For me, to get myself in a good space every time, create for teammates, that is what my job is. But I just want to make sure I get my teammates into space and then I can play from there.

‘The way we have been training in the camp is that we have prepared for three-day tournaments. That is where the management must get credit; they sat down and planned everything to make sure we were ready. ‘

Specman says that while he will return to the Bulls to start preparing for the 2020 Super Rugby season, he is still keen to get a few more tournaments under his belt before pushing for a place in the squad for the Tokyo Olympic Games.

‘After Cape Town, I am heading straight back to the Bulls because Super Rugby starts early next year,’ Specman said. ‘That is up to the coaches and management, if they want me to come back before the Olympics. I think it would be nice to have another two tournaments before I get into that Olympic camp. Then I know I have that flow going.’

Photo: @Blitzboks/Twitter

Post by

Dylan Jack