Share

SARU names SA Sevens squad

Cape Town - SARU has confirmed a squad of 23 Springbok Sevens players who will now start with full preparations at their base in Stellenbosch for the upcoming HSBC Sevens World Series.

Sign up for Sport24 promo mailers and win

Click to BUY the Great moments in Currie Cup history DVD

Stephan Dippenaar, the Blue Bulls centre who was released from his provincial contract and who last week signed a two-year agreement with the Springbok Sevens, is one of four newcomers in the squad. The other three rookies are Western Province U21-hooker Reuben Johannes, Cornal Hendricks (utility back, Boland Cavaliers) and Dirk Dippenaar (wing, Tukkies).

IRB Sevens Player of the Year, Cecil Afrika, is one of five injured players included in the group who will continue with their rehabilitation under the watchful eye of team management. The other injured players are Branco du Preez (ankle), Craig Barry (pelvis), Tshotsho Mbovane (knee) and Pieter Engelbrecht (ankle).

Robert Ebersohn, the Free State Cheetahs centre and a former contracted SA Sevens player, makes his return to the squad in an agreement between SARU and the Cheetahs, which will see the centre run out for the Blitzbokke in Australia and Dubai.

The Sharks trio of Lubabalo Mtembu, Paul Jordaan and Sibusiso Sithole were included in the squad but they are unfortunately unavailable.

The team got together earlier today in Stellenbosch and coach Paul Treu said he was delighted to have the full squad together again: “It was so great to see all of them together again because quite a few of them were involved in the Absa Currie Cup. You could immediately sense the excitement and energy and we will now work flat out to ensure we are in good condition and well prepared when we depart to Australia on November 18,” explained Treu.

Treu confirmed that that he will name his travelling squad of twelve to the Gold Coast on November 11. The Sevens World Series starts on 25-26 November in Australia and the teams will then be in action for the following two weeks in Dubai (2-3 December) and South Africa (9-10 December).

The Springbok Sevens training squad is:

Forwards:
Chase Minnaar, Kyle Brown, Frankie Horne, Chris Dry, Neil Powell, Boom Prinsloo, Reuben Johannes (DHL Western Province), Cornal Hendricks (Regent Boland Cavaliers), Dirk Dippenaar (Tukkies), Pieter Engelbrecht.

Backs:

Paul Delport, Cecil Afrika, Branco du Preez, Steven Hunt, Renfred Dazel, Bernado Botha, Mark Richards, Craig Barry, Tshotsho Mbovane, William Small-Smith, Stephan Dippenaar, MJ Mentz, Robert Ebersohn (Toyota Free State Cheetahs).
 
We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
How much would you be prepared to pay for a ticket to watch the Springboks play against the All Blacks at Ellis Park or Cape Town Stadium this year?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
R0 - R200
33% - 1818 votes
R200 - R500
32% - 1778 votes
R500 - R800
19% - 1084 votes
R800 - R1500
8% - 461 votes
R1500 - R2500
3% - 187 votes
I'd pay anything! It's the Boks v All Blacks!
5% - 254 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE