I was in Los Angeles this weekend to see the South African (known as the Blitzbokke) win the LA Sevens and take the World Rugby Sevens Series. They were at the top of the points table and had just won gold at the Commonwealth. Things were looking good.

Things fell apart.

The Blitzbokke failed to qualify for the semifinals, and ended up coming 13th.

The coach, Neil Powell, explained the poor results saying effort was not an issue. Instead, a lack of “defensive cohesion and an under-powered team effort” were responsible for the poor performance.  The defensive effort was “too individualistic, and we did not trust the system. When we play as a unit, it brings us success, and that did not happen out there.”

The issue was that in critical moments, on defense, the team failed to operate with cohesion.

South Africa has some of the most exciting players on the planet. But, they went unnoticed this weekend. Why? They did not have the foundation of a cohesive team to play off.

When teams move from good to great they have both cohesion and individual flair.

Cohesion is important during times of stress, volatility and competition. Cohesion comes through knowing, believing in and sticking to the plan. Cohesion emerges when there is clarity, purpose and strategy - why we are doing what we are doing and how we will get there.

But what of individual flair? Gallup says a great team is “a group of imperfect but talented contributors who are valued for their strengths and who need one another to realize individual and team excellence.” In the game of Sevens it’s individual brilliance that can win a game. The key is that it’s off the back of a strong team effort.

The team creates the platform for individuals to shine. And a great team allows individuals to shine.