Veteran playmaker Rosko Specman expects more composure from the Blitzboks after “silly” mistakes cost them against Ireland in the Los Angeles Sevens on Saturday.

Sandil Ncgobo’s charges kicked off their tournament in the worst possible way, spilling the ball from the kick-off and allowing the Irish to score a converted try in the opening minute.

Honest reflections from @speckmagic11 at #HSBCSVNSLAX defeat to Ireland.#PoweredByUnity pic.twitter.com/FjD9fchjjk

— Springbok Sevens (@Blitzboks) March 2, 2024

The South Africans lost 17-0, and will have to improve dramatically in their next Pool A match against series leaders Argentina at 8:36pm if they want to make it into the final eight.

RECAP: Blitzboks blanked in LA opener

Speaking post-match at the Dignity Health Sports Park, Specman told the media: “The ball was in our hands but it was just a lack of concentration on the floor, and we know they like to target our breakdown, and that’s where we gave them that early sniff in the game.

“Then their tails were up and then it was [us] trying to fight the game the whole time … and the harder we fought the more we lost concentration.

“Sometimes we just need to be calm and more focused, so that when we have the ball we know exactly what to do and not kick the ball away or it’s a silly mistake we make.

“So I think we must play a little bit smarter next time.”