Sevens
Afrika boost for Blitzbokke
2012-12-06 13:38
Cape Town - Cecil Afrika has returned to the Springbok Sevens squad for the Nelson Mandela Bay Sevens tournament after missing round two of the HSBC
Sevens World Series last weekend in Dubai.
Afrika, the former IRB Sevens Player of the year, is one of three
chances to the squad that will play in South Africa’s home tournament in
Port Elizabeth.
Cheslin Kolbe replaces Kevin Luiters while Bernado Botha will start in
place of Steven Hunt who was ruled out because of an ankle injury.
The Blitzbokke will be captained by Frankie Horne who will play in his
44th consecutive World Series tournament. Horne will also equal the SA
Sevens tournament appearance of Fabian Juries.
Paul Treu, the Springbok Sevens coach, said at the team announcement
press conference on Thursday in PE that his team was well aware of the
home fans’ expectations for them to perform well.
“We know the fans expect us to do well and we will do our best not to
disappoint them. It’s nice to have Cecil back because he is such an
important player for us.
“We took Steven for scans this morning and the results on his ankle were not
good, so we decided not to risk him and rather play Bernado instead,”
said Treu.
The Springbok Sevens team squad for the Nelson Mandela Bay Sevens is:
1. Chris Dry
2. Philip Snyman
3. Frankie Horne
4. Warren Whiteley
5. Cornal Hendricks
6. Cheslin Kolbe
7. Ruwellyn Isbell
8. Stephan Dippenaar
9. Paul Delport
10. Cecil Afrika
11. Tshotsho Mbovane
12. Bernado Botha