During a visit as part of a community initiative, the Blitzboks team and its coaching staff held a meeting with students at Paulus Joburg Secondary School in Paarl on Wednesday. During this event, the players urged the students to stand up against bullying, respect the boundaries of others, and seek help when necessary.
The players discussed topics such as responsible masculinity and gender-based violence, including how youth view women and girls, and what they do when they witness someone being mistreated. Furthermore, the athletes participated in a seven-minute physical training session with the students.
Impie Wisser, who led Blitzboks last season, emphasized that no one can carry this jersey alone, noting the contribution of families, teachers, coaches, and communities to the team's success.
Blitzboks playmaker, Selvin Davies, advised the students that one can 'be strong while also asking for help,' and 'be confident while respecting others' boundaries.' He linked these decisions to how players care for their teammates, stating that 'being a good teammate means making others feel safe and valued.'
The players addressed bullying and gender-based violence as separate issues, and their advice focused on everyday behavior, including respecting refusal and responding to acts of harm. The Department of Basic Education noted that bullying and violence negatively affect students' well-being, mental health, and academic performance, calling for the creation of support teams in schools and reporting procedures.
Davies added that 'the choice matters in how we treat women and girls, our friends, and everyone around us,' stressing that 'what we do off the field speaks volumes about us, no less than our achievements on it.'
Springbok Seven head coach, Philip Snyman, expressed hope that meeting a representative from his country could make a young person's dream a reality. He hoped that the students would leave with 'the confidence to keep trying, the courage to ask for support, and an understanding that their choices can change another person's life.'
Blitzboks is the South African sevens team that finished the 2026 campaign as regular season and world champions. SA Rugby has used the hashtag #PoweredbyUnity for several seasons to describe the trust between the players, families, coaches, and communities supporting them.