Afrika picked for Blitzbokke World Cup charge
South Africa's all-time sevens top point scorer Cecil Afrika
has been included in the Blitzbokke squad for the upcoming World Rugby Sevens
World Cup in Cape Town next week.
Afrika hasn't played for the Blitzbokke since 2020 but has been playing rugby in the professional Extenso Super Sevens league in France recently so he hasn't been short of game time.
The SOS call from coach Neil Powell comes after injuries to Justin Geduld and Dewald Human ruled them out of the competition. Powell, however, is excited to welcome Afrika back into the mix.
“We had been in regular contact since Cecil left Springbok Sevens to first play professional rugby in the USA and now France, so I am up to date with his fitness and form," Powell said.
“The injuries to Justin Geduld earlier this year and now Dewald Human left us short of options at flyhalf and Cecil not only provides massive experience, but big match temperament as well.
"He will also take some of the work-load away from Selvyn Davids, who is coming back from injury.”
The team will also be without the industrious Zain Davids who has been ruled out through injury along with Human but Powell will have ten Commonwealth Games gold medallists to rely on next week.
Having Selvyn Davids back in the squad is a massive boost for Powell and the team also welcomes back Ronald Brown, Christie Grobbelaar and Mfundo Ndhlovu - all of whom missed the Los Angeles leg last week.
The Springbok Women's Seven's side has also been named for the tournament and they will play France in their competition opener next Friday.
The squad includes the vastly experienced Mathrin Simmers who has featured in two previous World Cups while there are three other players in the squad of fourteen.
The Springbok Men's Sevens squad:
Cecil Afrika, Ronald Brown, Angelo Davids, Selvyn Davids,
Muller du Plessis, Christie Grobbelaar, Sako Makata, James Murphy, Mfundo
Ndhlovu, Ryan Oosthuizen, JC Pretorius, Siviwe Soyizwapi (captain), Impi
Visser, Shaun Williams.\
The Springbok Women’s Sevens squad:
Marlize de Bruin, Kirsten Eastes, Nolwazi Hlabangane,
Felicia Jacobs, Lerato Makua, Unathi Mali, Ayanda Malinga, Zintle Mpupha,
Simamkele Namba, Asisipho Plaatjies, Nadine Roos, Mathrin Simmers, Sizophila
Solontsi, Eloise Webb.
