From paddatjies to podiums: the making of the modern Blitzbok
As the HSBC SVNS Series rolls into Cape Town, former Blitzbok Chris Dry sits down with Rupert Cox to discuss how a simple, torn shirt embodies the team’s unity and identity.
When Dry talks about the history of the Blitzboks, he doesn’t start with medals, trophies, or record-breaking performances. He begins with something more elusive and human: the life experiences of South African players long before they touch a ball.
“In South Africa, we’re constantly fighting for something,” he explains. “Some people are fighting to put food on the table, others to get their children through school, or to simply improve their circumstances.”
South Africa presents dramatically different realities side by side, a contrast that, within the Springboks’ Sevens program, comes together in ways fans may not notice. This unique rugby culture, drawn from authentic national diversity and adversity, underpins a high-performance system that has repeatedly produced Series champions and Olympic medalists.
“We had teammates who grown up with barely one-and-a-half meals a day,” Dry notes, “standing next to someone who came through a top rugby school, with three cooked meals, new boots, protein shakes, and a scholarship.”
Such divergent backgrounds could easily fracture a team. How can a shared ground be found when one player has every luxury and another has known hunger throughout childhood?
Yet in the Blitzboks, these realities fuse into something formidable.
Dry recalls Frankie Horne, never one for grand statements, telling the team after a poor Wellington performance: “Just by being here, each one of us is literally taking food out of someone else’s mouth.” It wasn’t meant to shame or guilt but to remind every player that every moment—missed tackle, casual attitude, or scoring try—is a privilege.
“You start to care in a different way,” Dry says. “You understand how much this opportunity means to the person next to you and to their family.”
Branco du Preez grew up far from rugby’s power centers, in Blanco, Eastern Cape, and later found himself in Virginia, a mining town in the Free State. A lifeline arrived in Harmony Academy, a sports college dedicated to developing talented athletes from disadvantaged backgrounds. From there, du Preez became the most-capped Springboks Sevens player in history.
“He came from a place where opportunity barely existed,” Dry notes. “Now he’s a legend of the game.” Today, du Preez mentors young players who see their own possible journeys reflected in his.
The life of Cecil Afrika, South Africa’s all-time sevens points scorer, was transformed by Harmony Academy as well. Afrika later won World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year in 2011 and now leads the national women’s sevens team as head coach, championing a push to regain top-tier status.
“Cecil,” Dry recalls, “told me he wouldn’t buy anything for himself until he had ensured his family was provided for.”
This culture—defined by diversity, hard work, and gratitude—also opened doors for players who might have been overlooked in the traditional South African power game. Cheslin Kolbe, Kurt-Lee Arendse, and Kwagga Smith—marginalized in the 15-a-side structure—found their chance in sevens and have since become World Cup winners.
The modern Blitzboks culture took root under Paul Treu, who recognized that success needed more than physical fitness; it required a strong, shared identity. During nearly a decade as head coach, he left a lasting imprint on South African Sevens.
“Paul Treu placed enormous emphasis on culture,” Dry says. “From day one, before touching a ball, you had to understand what the team stood for.”
Treu authored a cultural manual that every newcomer had to study upon arriving at camp, an expectation that even startled rookie Warren Whiteley.
Dry chuckles recalling this: “Warren phoned me the day before he joined us for the 2014 Commonwealth Games camp. He said, ‘Chris, the coach says I need to talk to you about this team culture thing before I’m even allowed to train!’” The Blitzboks would go on to win gold in Glasgow that year, and Whiteley would later captain the Springbok 15s.
After Treu established that core structure, “Neil [Powell] evolved things quite a bit,” Dry explains. “He gave us more space to express ourselves.”
That freedom manifested in small but meaningful ways when players like du Preez, Afrika, and later Justin Geduld began sporting colored dreadlock braids. In a rugby culture traditionally marked by formality, this was a quiet revolution—an expression of individuality that still respected the game’s discipline. “That was a big thing for us,” Dry confirms, “because we weren’t typically flashy. It showed a bit more of who we are.”
But if one thing defines the team, Dry says, it’s the paddatjie.
“Paddatjie” in Afrikaans translates to “little frog.” It refers to the plain, battered, hand-me-down training jersey given to newcomers before official induction into the squad.
It carries no Springbok emblem, is often torn and unwashed, and symbolizes the entire team ethos. “You don’t,” Dry explains, “receive the full Springbok training shirt until you’ve earned your place.”
In most national teams, players celebrate receiving their first match shirt. For the South African Sevens, the true honor lies in training alongside the squad—the honor is being a teammate.
When current Blitzbok Christie Grobbelaar finally earned his paddatjie, Dry had the privilege of presenting him with his full training shirt. Grobbelaar would later wear Dry’s old No. 1 shirt during the HSBC SVNS Series.
“You get to keep that jersey for as long as you can or as long as you’re good enough. But when you hand it off, the next guy takes on the responsibility. When you receive it, you don’t take it for granted.”
Dry even texted Christie’s father to share his pride when Grobbelaar debuted.
So this team isn’t just a squad; it’s a brotherhood that spans the divides of South African society. Every Blitzbok star begins that journey wearing a torn shirt, regardless of name, language, ethnicity, or history.
Just the stats
Chris Dry — 74 SVNS tournaments, 98 tries, debut 2009-10 in Adelaide. RWC 7s 2013, 2014 Commonwealth Games, Tokyo 2020.
Branco du Preez — 85 SVNS tournaments, 101 tries, debut Wellington 2010, 2020 Tokyo Olympics, 2014 and 2018 Commonwealth Games, RWC 7s 2013.
Cecil Afrika — 66 SVNS tournaments, 179 tries, 1,462 points, debut 2009 in Dubai. RWC 7s 2013 & 2022, Commonwealth Games 2010, 2014, 2018, Rio 2016 Olympics.
