Springbok Sevens playmaker and Strand local Tristan Leyds was overcome with emotion after the Blitzboks secured back-to-back HSBC SVNS World Championships alongside the overall series title in Bordeaux, France on Sunday (7 June), achieving what he described as the team’s ultimate goals.

The double triumph was made even sweeter when he was named the World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year. Celebrating the milestone with his family in the crowd, including his brother, former Springbok Dillyn, Tristan said the prestigious accolade had allowed him to step out of his brother’s shadow and establish himself as a force in his own right on the international stage.

Reflecting on a journey that included milestone victories in Hong Kong and a consecutive title defence in Cape Town, Tristan is already setting his sights on the future.

After capturing a bronze medal in Paris 2024 his next goal is to anchor the squad and hunt for Olympic gold at the 2028 games in Los Angeles. Photo: www.springboks.rugby