Tristan Leyds says he feels he has finally stepped out of his brother’s shadow after being named World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year.
The award capped a remarkable season for the Blitzboks playmaker, who helped them win both the regular-season SVNS series and the World Championship title.
Leyds admitted he was overwhelmed when coach Philip Snyman broke the news to him on Saturday evening after the Blitzboks’ World Championship title-clinching quarter-final win against Fiji in Bordeaux.
“It made it all the more special,” said Leyds, who had his wife, parents and brother Dillyn Leyds in the crowd.
“The daily support I get from my wife often gets me going when the body is tired, while my parents have always been there supporting me.
“And what can I say about Dillyn. He always calls me ‘the better Leyds’ on his social media posts and that means a lot.
“I mean, he is a Springbok, he won the Champions Cup twice with La Rochelle, and was named Player of the Final, so yes, maybe I did step a bit out of his shadow by winning Player of the Year.”
MORE: Leyds crowned world’s best sevens player
Leyds revealed a conversation with Snyman helped fuel his ambitions.
“At the start of this season I told him I want to be the best 10 on the circuit,” he said. “He asked me why not the best player in the world, something that really got me thinking.”
The 28-year-old said winning in Hong Kong for the first time and achieving back-to-back titles in Cape Town were among the highlights of a memorable campaign.
Looking ahead, Leyds believes the Blitzboks can achieve another milestone at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
“I got that bronze with the team in Paris and realised how big it could be for us in 2028,” he said. “We have not set that goal and hopefully I can still be around when that squad is selected.”
Photo: @Blitzboks/X
The post Blitzboks star shining his own light appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Blitzboks playmaker Tristan Leyds says he feels he has finally stepped out of his brother’s shadow after being named World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year.
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