From 15s to Olympic Bronze: The Journey of a Blitzbok Star

Transitioning from 15s to 7s rugby is no small feat, especially after a significant injury. This journey demands not only physical rehabilitation but also mental resilience and adaptability. Tristan Leyds embodies this journey, moving from the Stormers to becoming a key player for the Blitzboks. His story is one of unwavering determination, culminating in the unforgettable achievement of winning bronze at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Transitioning from 15s to 7s rugby  

Despite many believing that 7s would suit his game, Tristan Leyds faced a tough journey. After a long syndesmosis injury, he received a call from Marius Schoeman, inviting him to join the 7s for a short stint at a tournament in Colorado. Leyds saw this as a much-needed opportunity as he wasn’t getting game time at the Stormers. “I was at a point where it felt like I was not going to get any game time at the DHL Stormers and I needed to look at other options,” he reflects.

Joining the squad in mid-July, he had only two weeks to prepare for a tournament which they eventually withdrew from to focus on the Africa Games. His time with the Blitzboks reignited his passion for rugby, though not making the 13-man squad for the Zimbabwe trip was a bitter pill to swallow. “I was disappointed I hadn’t been selected, but I knew I needed to grow faster as a player,” says Leyds. The demands of 7s rugby required him to work intensively on his defence, goal kicking and communication, which became his primary focus during the transition. With experienced players like Dewald Human and Justin Geduld guiding him along with captain Selvyn Davids, he found the support he needed to stay positive during the challenging transition.  

Olympic journey 

Making his Blitzbok debut in Perth was his first experience representing his country in rugby. Throughout the year, he grew as an athlete and had the honour of representing Team RSA at the Olympics — something he had always dreamed of. His journey to Olympic bronze mirrored the highs and lows of competition — day one was tough, but day two showcased the team’s potential and day three was filled with unforgettable memories.

The management’s decision to hold their training camp in South Africa rather than travelling to Montpellier, proved vital for their tournament preparation. “We grew even stronger as a unit during our preparation in Joburg. Credit to Coach Philly [Philip Snyman] for pushing us to deliver our best performance before the bronze medal match,” he says. Winning bronze is an achievement that Leyds will forever cherish. “Coach Philly’s message before the bronze match was simple: ‘Make sure your last game at the Olympics is your best performance,’ and the rest is history!”

Team spirit and dynamics  

Leyds highlights the incredible energy within the Blitzboks team, especially leading up to warm-ups. “I’ve never been part of a team that brings a better vibe. Whether it’s music blasting or singing a ‘Gwijo,’ it was unmatched,” says Leyds. Even though he usually made music playlists for tournaments, the team’s energy often led him to remove his headphones and just soak in the atmosphere.

His journey has been shaped by many influential coaches over the years. The late Chester Williams played a significant role in his recovery after surgery on a broken eye socket, allowing him to flourish in the Varsity Shield and Varsity Cup competitions. He also credits UWC 7s coach Clément Trout for giving him opportunities in USSA 7s and Varsity Cup 7s. “Special mention must go to Sandile Ngcobo and Philip Snyman, who took extra time to help me transition from a 15s to a 7s player,” Leyds acknowledges. While the transition from 15s to 7s was challenging, Leyds is excited for the journey ahead and believes he hasn’t yet reached his full potential.

Future goals and aspirations

With an Olympic medal in hand, many are wondering whether Leyds will return to 15s. For now, his focus remains on achieving more in 7s rugby, particularly winning a World Series title. “I still haven’t reached certain goals, like winning a 7s World Series, which is definitely on the cards,” he reveals.

On a personal note, Leyds is excited to marry his partner, Amy Cupido, within the next year or two. She has been a constant source of support through every milestone in his career. “Having Amy in the crowd at the Stade de France during the Olympics was the most special moment of my career,” he reflects.

While Leyds is content with his current path in 7s, he remains open to future opportunities such as playing in the Japanese league once he accomplishes his goals with the Blitzboks. “I’ve started to love rugby again and am finding my feet as a ‘general’ in the 7s game. For now, I’m happy where I am, and I hope to become a leader in my position,” says Leyds.  

Looking back: Reflections on a rugby career 

As Leyds reflects on his eight years in rugby, he is proud of the moments that have shaped him. From making history with UWC by qualifying for the Varsity Cup for the first time, to his Stormers debut and playing for the Stormers in the year they were victorious in the URC — each milestone holds a special place in his heart. But the pinnacle of his career so far is becoming an Olympic bronze medallist. “Looking back, being an Olympic bronze medallist is something that will be hard to top,” he admits.

Known for his lean physique, Leyds has always used it as motivation to prove doubters wrong. “People wrote me off for being ‘too skinny,’ but that only pushed me harder,” he says. To others facing similar challenges, Leyds advises: “Keep pushing, keep fighting, and pray for the strength to achieve your goals.”

In hindsight, Leyds wishes he had taken his physical rehabilitation and mental health more seriously earlier in his career. “Talking about struggles with loved ones helped me through tough times,” he says. To aspiring athletes, he offers this advice: “Don’t let physical limitations define you — embrace your journey, and the celebrations will be all the sweeter.”