The question and answer session has closed.
Jarrod asked:
Hi William.. I would like to know if it is hard to adapt to the pace of sevens in comparison to the 15 man game?
William answered:
it is quite hard to adapt, not so much in playing the game of rugby, but how you think! in 15 man you have a lot of time to fix any mistakes, and you have teammates covering for you, but in 7s you only have 0ne chance
Hendrik asked:
Are you, Tshotsho Mbovane & Craig Barry still involved in Dawie''s SA U20 plans?
Seemed a bit odd not to see those names there.
William answered:
as far as i know because we are contracted by sa rugby and our nr1 priority is with the 7s at the moment, we arent avaidable for selection by the u 20 till we are released by coach paul...
Joe asked:
Hi William
Thanks for taking the time off to chat to us. How are preparations going for this weekend''s tournament. Any valuable lessons learned from the first two tournaments of the year?
William answered:
its really going good, so good to be back in sa! can feel the vibe and the guys are really excited! i would say we have major lessons to be learned, but we have reflected on our games and the mistakes we made, and our main area we cncentrate on is to be concictent
!
James asked:
Hi William, I feel with such focus on ball skills and fitness in the sevens game that players struggle to fit into the much more structured 15 man game when going back to their unions.
Is there a way that gap can be narrowed and the formats brought more in line so that you can have a career in both? Or is it a case of focusing on sevens when you are younger and then moving up to the 15-man game later?
William answered:
i think its diffirent for each player, it depends on the players ability to adapt an change how he thinks of the game.
in sa our 15 man sides mostly lay a crash and bash type game, while 7s the concentration moves away from contact.
7s focus a lot on your own skills, so i think its a good learning curve for any young player, who can then after a year or 2 go backto the 15.
Tiaan van Niekerk asked:
Yes ou, wanneer join jy bietjie twitter? ;-)
Ernstiger noot, hoe voel jy oor hierdie saterdag?
William answered:
haha im went to school in bloem, and there twitter isnt such a big thing.... maybe in the future!
Gary asked:
Hi William - are you able to give us any good reason as to how you guys put on the performance you did against NZ in Dubai, only to come so horribly unstuck against France? Thanks
William answered:
i dont think there is one major reason, but a few small ones... the french played really well, an we were caught off guard.
the smaller teams are really lifting there game, so there are seldom any easy games left...
Pieter asked:
William,
wow nice tournament for you in Dubai. Can you tell me why you guys keep going direct on attack and not use the width of the field a bit more?
thanks and good luck for this weekend.
William answered:
it is a valid observation, but the teams on the circut really word hard on defence. so we want to pull them in and put some of there bodies on the ground to give us an advantage on attack...
Paul asked:
Hi William
Werent you going to come study at UCT? If yes what made you change your mind?
William answered:
i though about it, but in the end my choice just went another way! its an awesome place to study, and my sister whom is studying there at the moment really speak highly of it!
charles asked:
Do your friends call you Willy?
William answered:
thankfully not!
Peter Tosh asked:
Hey William
How are you enjoying 7''s? Do you think you will make it your career?
William answered:
i really enjoy playing sevens, but my dream is to play for the springboks 15s side one day!
Ferdie van der Merwe asked:
Hi William,
I only realised after I''ve posted my previous comments that you have been left out of the squad for the weekend. I do not necessarily agree with this decission but hang in there, your chance will come.
Ferdie
William answered:
thank you for your support. its still great to be a part of it all!
we have some minor issues to tweak, but no major concern, hope to make our supporters proud this weekend!
Yechi Hamelech asked:
howzit boi
personally, do you think the transition from 15 a side to 7''s is such a big one to adapt to mentally as well as phyically?
William answered:
I think the mental part of it is more important and difficult than the physical side of it!
i can compare it to being afrikaans and typing in english, at the moment im thinking in afrikaans but typing in english, so the i have to translate my thoughts to english and write it. but i should actualy just think in english. my response would be much quicker!
one must be able to make that mindshift!
Roderick Cupido asked:
Hi William, what was it like scoring the winning try and just your overall experience? You guys really missed Cecil, wot will the team do if he picks up a long term injury?
William answered:
it was such an awesum experience!
cecil is an awesome rugby player, and its good to have him back in the team, but rugby still remain a team sport
a great player may win you a game, but it takes a tam to win you a championship
Viwe Mgudlwa asked:
Hey Willie, I am looking forward to see all of you guys play this weekend, my question is what happened in Dubai when you lost to Australia because on friday you beat NZ convinsingly and all of a sudden you played your poorest game ever against aussies. Can you promise us this weekend that you guys will win the cup final and also lastly,do you guys feel any pressure when you play without Cecil Afrika? Thanks
William answered:
we never go on to the pitch and lose on purpose, we will try our best.
Muzi asked:
Hey William besides playing for SA in sevens rugby will you be involved with the bulls senior side next year ?
William answered:
after teh 7s season, i hope to return to the bulls. it is their choice then where to play me.