Milestone just the tip of the iceberg for Snyman
The 2018 season is a bumper one for the BlitzBoks and Snyman and reaching 50 tournaments is just one of the boxes ticked for the captain.
"It was a goal for me, yes," he said.
"I have never played in a Commonwealth Games, so if all goes well, I will be able to do that as well in April.
"The Rugby Sevens World Cup in July is another where I hope to be. I have been to two, but we lost in the quarterfinals in both, so I hope to be involved in a team that could perhaps win it,” added Snyman, who also collected a bronze medal in Rugby Sevens at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Snyman made his BlitzBok debut in 2008 in Dubai, and has been part of both squads that won the World Rugby Sevens Series titles, in 2008/09 and again in 2016/17.
Snyman also lead the BlitzBoks to victory last year in Sydney and he feels if they want to be successful again, personal milestones will have to take a backseat.
"It is a massive honour for any player to play 50 tournaments and to be able to do it in a Springbok Sevens jersey just makes it even more special for me," said Snyman.
"I did not think too much about it, to be honest, my focus was more to go out and hit the pitch with my brothers and to enjoy that. The fact that I can share it with friends and family makes it very rewarding on a personal note.
"We have set goals for ourselves this weekend though and it does not matter whether it is your 50th tournament, your first or tenth, you need to go out and contribute equally. We all have a role to play for the team to achieve their goals."
The jersey hand-over ceremony, where Snyman received a gold cap to commemorate his achievement, was special, with Kyle Brown (60 tournaments) and Cecil Afrika (55 tournaments) on hand to welcome the sixth BlitzBok ever to play in 50 tournaments. Frankie Horne (68), Chris Dry (63) and Branco du Preez (57) are the others.
Springbok Sevens squad: Tim Agaba, Philip Snyman (captain), Dylan Sage, Albertus Smith, Werner Kok, Kyle Brown, Stedman Gans, Rosko Specman, Justin Geduld, Cecil Afrika, Seabelo Senatla, Ruhan Nel, Sikhumbuzo Notshe (Replacement Player).
