Exclusive: Blitzboks Newcomer Gino Cupido Eager for Hong Kong Challenge

The HSBC Sevens Series is back in action after a brief hiatus, and excitement is building ahead of the next leg in the newly constructed Hong Kong stadium. Among the most anticipated events is the debut of young South African rugby prodigy, Gino Cupido, who is set to make his first appearance for the Blitzboks.

Debuting for the Blitzboks

Gino Cupido, the 19-year-old from Cape Town, was overwhelmed with emotion when he was selected by coach Philip Snyman for the Hong Kong leg of the HSBC Sevens Series. 

"When coach Philip chose me for the Hong Kong leg, I was lost for words," Cupido confessed. 

"I had a lot of mixed emotions but mostly excitement. It’s a dream come true."

Choosing Sevens Over Fifteens

In South Africa, the 15s format is often seen as the pinnacle of rugby, especially in the school system, where players typically start in 15s and only later try their hand at sevens. Cupido, however, made a bold decision to pursue sevens rugby over the more traditional 15s path.

"I grew up thinking of myself as a 15s player. In 2023, I went to the Commonwealth Youth Games in Trinidad and Tobago, where I really started to understand the dynamics of 7s. The coaches explained how the program works, and I thought, I’m going to give this a go," he told SportsBoom.co.za. 

At the Commonwealth Youth Games, Cupido found his passion for 7s rugby. 

"I really enjoyed the game because I began to understand it better. The coaches always told us to go out there and enjoy it. That message stuck with me," he said. 

After the games, Cupido made the decision to pursue sevens and, just a short time later, was called up to represent the Blitzboks.

Impact of Playing in the Currie Cup

Before his breakthrough in sevens, Cupido had already made a mark in South African domestic rugby. He played for Western Province in the Currie Cup, South Africa’s oldest rugby competition, gaining invaluable experience playing alongside seasoned professionals.

"The Currie Cup environment helped me a lot, especially with confidence," he explained. 

"I played with a lot of experienced players who have been around for years. Being part of that senior setup gave me the confidence to push myself."

However, Cupido’s journey wasn’t without setbacks. During the Currie Cup, he suffered a torn ACL, but his time in the senior environment helped him recover mentally and physically. 

"Being around those players during my injury gave me the confidence to get back on track. After a year of recovery, I made my senior debut, and it was an amazing feeling," Cupido reflected.

Once his Currie Cup duties were done, Cupido returned to sevens, bringing his newfound experience from the senior rugby level into his game. 

"It definitely helped me adapt and improve my performance on the field."

Western Province Rugby Legacy

For many young players in Cape Town, the ultimate dream is to play for Western Province, a team with rich history and a renowned development system. Cupido, who plays primarily as a center but is versatile enough to fill other positions, had the chance to play with Springboks and other professional players he had once looked up to.

"Playing for the senior team was unexpected for me. I was still with the u21s when one of the coaches called me and told me to head back to Cape Town for training with the seniors due to injuries," he explained. 

"The next thing I knew, I was playing that same weekend against the Sharks XV."

Cupido’s rapid ascent was not without its challenges. "I was initially told I’d be playing on the wing, but during the captain’s run, I was told I’d be playing center instead. It was a lot to take in, but it taught me the valuable lesson that in sport, and in life, you have to adjust to different situations quickly."

Blitzboks: Hong Kong Leg

Now, Cupido is stepping onto the global stage with the Blitzboks as they prepare to take on the HSBC Sevens Series in Hong Kong. The Blitzboks will be aiming to break a 30-year drought at the tournament, and coach Philip Snyman has made it clear that the team must stick to the processes they’ve been training on.

"All we need to do is focus on our plan, execute what we’ve practiced, and stay calm under pressure," said Cupido. "The coaches congratulated me and told me to enjoy myself. The senior players also shared some advice, especially knowing this is my first tournament. They told me to stay calm, and the rest would fall into place."

Cupido is ready to embrace the challenges of his debut, knowing that nerves are natural but the support from his teammates will help him settle into the competition. 

"I know there will be nerves, but I just need to stay calm and trust my preparation," he said. "The senior players have been great with advice, and I’m ready to step up," he concluded.