Blitzboks chase 'complete performance' in Hong Kong as World Championship begins

Speaking after the Blitzboks captured the HSBC SVNS Series in New York, Visser said their focus heading into Friday's HSBC SVNS World Championship opener at Hong Kong's Kai Tak Sports Park is on chasing a complete performance - something he believes they have yet to deliver consistently, despite winning four of the six tournaments in the series.

"Yes, we are not quite there yet, especially on attack, where we can be much better than what we were in our last tournament in New York," said the 30-year-old.

"There our defence was outstanding, our attack not so much."

The New York tournament remains fresh in Visser’s mind - not only because he marked his 50th appearance with a victory, but also due to the quick turnaround to the next phase, with World Championship tournaments in Hong Kong, Valladolid and Bordeaux looming.

"We had a short time to prepare at home as we travelled to Hong Kong a bit earlier than usual, but our focus remains the same," said Visser.

"We believe we are the best team on the circuit and as such, we want to prove that by winning this weekend. Being the top ranked team will put a target on our backs, but that is fine. We want to be challenged, but mostly by ourselves.

"Our focus is on what we want to achieve, starting with the match against Uruguay."

The South Americans are among the four teams from HSBC SVNS 2 to qualify for the World Championship, and the Blitzboks have already had a taste of that level of competition through training matches against the USA and Germany, who also progressed via the same route.

"We all start at zero, so you underestimate any other team at your own peril," Visser added.

"Twelve teams come into the same tournament hoping to achieve the same goal and that is to win it. So, we will approach all our opponents with that respect."

The status of the Hong Kong event also demands your best effort, according to Visser: "Many great names in the game have played and competed here. In a way, this is the home of sevens and where it all started. Just to be part of this is special, to finally finish victorious will be even more so."