Powell not afraid to get his hands dirty

It is a system that takes a hands-on approach

Springbok Sevens stalwart Chris Dry joined Late Tackle - the talk show with a difference brings in various personalities from all over the rugby world each week to dissect hot topics and provide unique insight into the professional game - following the success of a Hong Kong Sevens team that performed beyond everyone's expectations. 

Powell, who has been part of the Blitzboks setup since 2001 - moving from playing to coaching - is not afraid to get his hands dirty during training sessions.

"Every team is different and has different dynamics. We are a small setup if you think of numbers. Our coach is very involved, he is literally training with us, so he has a feel for every single move, he runs the plays with us. He has a feel for the defence as well cause he is in every session," Dry said.

"I think that's important cause he is not always looking at it from the outside, he always on the inside and he also has a feel of what is good and what's working. A lot of the times you will look at a tape of a training session and it will look great but on the weekend, it will never work and I think it has a lot to do with a feeling," he added.

The Blitzboks are the reigning World Sevens Series champions and are currently the front-runners to retain that title as they lead the 2017/18 campaign, albeit by just three points from second-placed Fiji.

During his stint as coach, Powell has established a framework that has increased the Sevens' depth by establishing an Academy that attracts exciting players from all over the country and provides them with the necessary setup to refine their skills and gain experience.

The 13-man team that represented South Africa at the Hong Kong Sevens in April is a testament to the work done by Powell, Marius Schoeman, Paul Delport and every other member of the Springbok Sevens team. 

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