Veteran Cecil Afrika has been recalled as Blitzboks coach Neil Powell named his squad for next weekend’s Rugby World Cup Sevens at Cape Town Stadium.
The Springbok Sevens squad includes three bronze medalists from last year’s event, including skipper Siviwe Soyizwapi, Selvyn Davids, and Ryan Oosthuizen.
The pair, who also competed in the 2018 tournament, were injured at last weekend’s LA Sevens, where the Blitzboks finished second in the overall standings.
Afrika, the World Series’ all-time leading Blitzbok scorer with 1 462 points, was recalled due to Human’s injury. The experienced playmaker last appeared for South Africa in the World Series in 2020, but has recently played for Monaco in France’s professional Extenso Super Sevens league.
Afrika, 34, was injured during the 2018 World Cup but competed in the 2013 event in Moscow.
“We’ve been in regular contact since Cecil left the Springbok Sevens to play professional rugby in the United States and now France, so I’m up to date on his fitness and form,” Powell said.
“Injuries to Justin Geduld earlier this year and now Dewald Human have left us short of options at flyhalf, and Cecil not only brings massive experience, but also a big match temperament.” He will also relieve some of the workload from Selvyn Davids, who is recovering from an injury.”
Davids, Ronald Brown, Christie Grobbelaar, and Mfundo Ndhlovu all return to the squad after missing the tournament in Los Angeles due to injuries sustained during the Commonwealth Games in July.
Coach of the Springbok Women’s Sevens, Paul Delport, has also named his squad for the women’s showpiece.
South Africa’s co-captains have been named Mathrin Simmers and Sizophila Solontsi.
“We’re focused internally and want to make sure we play that game with clarity as a group,” Delport explained.
“You only get one chance to play a Rugby World Cup Sevens tournament in your own country, so we’re hoping to make the most of it.”
“Home tournaments create a lot of extra pressure on our captains, and we want to spread the workload in that regard, as well as make sure we have a captain on the field all the time,” Delport explained.
“Mathrin and Sizo are both experienced campaigners and leaders, and their skills will complement one another.”
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