Sevens legend returns to SA

Sevens legend returns to SA

10 Dec 2012

Ben Gollings will represent the NBM All Stars in the inaugural Sevens Premier League this weekend.

Gollings scored a record 2 652 points and 220 tries on the Sevens World Series circuit and knows Outeniqua Park well having played there when it hosted the South African tournament.

‘It’s great to be back in George,’ he said. ‘The ground has one of the most spectacular back drops. The town and the surroundings are stunning and there is plenty to do and see. I think it is the start of a new era in sevens and I’m really looking forward to how the tournament plays out.

‘George attracted a big crowd [when it hosted the SA Sevens] and I look forward to seeing all those supporters back out to watch sevens in a different style where you get to see the big names playing together rather than against each other. I expect the rugby to be tough and competitive on the field.’

Gollings, who is currently based in Sri Lanka where he is coaching in 15s and sevens, said he hadn’t given up hope of wearing the England jersey again.

‘I would love to still be playing at the top level of sevens. It all finished a bit too quickly for me and I really miss it. It’s always hard watching. If I ever had the opportunity to play again at that level I would definitely consider it strongly.’

Sevens Premier League squads:

Blue Bulls – Shaun Adendorf, Andre Warner, Roelof Smit, Jason Kriel, Jacques Rossouw, Christiaan de Bruin, Cornelius Cooper, Jesse Kriel, Daniel Kriel, Travis Ismaiel, Rohan Janse van Rensburg, Clayton Blommetjies. Coach: Fielies Coetzee

Boland Kavaliers – Philip van Zyl, Ben Venter, Ashton Constant, Ntando Kebe, Deston Wellman, Eric Zana, Tythan Adams, Thor Halvorsen, Garth April, Brendon April, Dual Erasmus, Albert Trytsman, Adi Jacobs, Franzel September. Coach: Abie Davids

Cheetahs – Ryno Benjamin, Robbie van Schalkwyk, Marnus Schoeman, Torsten van Jaarsveld, Leon Karemaker, Boom Prinsloo, Pieter van Zyl, Sarel Pretorius, Willie le Roux, Barry Geel, Raymond Rhule, Philip Burger, Kevin Luiters, Hansie Graaff, Johann Sadie, Tertius Daniller. Coach: Hawies Fourie.

Kaizer Chiefs – Wilhelm Koch, Bom Samaai, Breyton Paulse, Wandile Mjekevu, Jongi Nokwe, Gareth Krause, Junior Bester, Elmo Thomas, Cameron Jacobs, Friedrich Lombard, Adrian Jacobs. Coach: Gcobani Bobo

Lions – Ruan Combrinck, Derick Minnie, Claude Tshibidi, Andries Coetzee, Robin Coetzee, Whestley Moolman, Morne Laubscher, Ruhan Nel, Jacques Nel, Ross Cronje, Senzo Shabalala. Coach: JP Ferreira

Living Ball – Jonathan Mokuena, Reg Muller, Wendal Wehr, Alshaun Bock, Marius Delport, Dean Heymans, Shaun Davids, Donnovan Marais, Berty Visser, Earl Lewis, Stefan Terblanche, Dirk Dippenaar. Coach: Freddie Grobler.

NBM All Stars – Stefan Basson, Ben Gollings, Zar Lawrence, MJ Mentz, JW Jonker, Juan Swanepoel, Danwell Demas, Rosco Specman, Jaco Bouwer, Deon Helberg, Danie Dames, Bok Barnard. Coach: Jimmy Stonehouse.

PlayerLink Mohicans – Justin Peach, Christopher Juries, Julian Erasmus, Richard Prinsloo, Mark Winter, Josh Basingthwaighte, Tiger Bax, Jeandre Blom, NW Smit, Karlo Aspeling, Juan Smit, Andre Smit, Stefan de Villiers, Chris Cloete, Izak Saaiman. Coach: Dawie Snyman

Samurai International – Pieter Engelbrecht, Kwagga Smith, Carel du Preez, Jack Wilson, Jack Welsch, Shannon Rick, Justin Geduld, Werner Kok, Seabelo Senatla, Derich Badenhorst, Henk de Ridder, Sergio Torrens. Coach: Marius Schoeman

Sharks – Terra Mthembu, Brynard Stander, Subura Sithole, Peet Coetzee, Anton Verster, Gouws Prinsloo, Milo Ngoro, Mzo Mbona, Calvin Karnezos, Garath Meikle, Sean Robinson, Jaco van Tonder, Sizo Maseko. Coach: Roelof Kotze

Vikings – Jonathan Adendorff, Lean Schwartz, Kempie Rautenbach, Fabian Juries, Mzwandile Stick, Anthony Volmink, Jacques Erasmus, Ruan Mostert, Jody Reynecke, Guy Cronje, Enrico Acker, Shane Spring. Coach: Darryl Weir

Western Province – Ryan Smith, Sibusiso Notshe, Arno Johnson, Craig Pheiffer, Kobus Van Wyk, Clearance Khumalo, Freddie Muller, Tim Swiel, Dean Hammond, Dillyn Leyds, Craig Berry, Chevandre  van Schoor.  Coach: Jerome Paarwater


22 Comments

  • 1.cane: Reply to this comment
    10 Dec 2012, 10:20 am

    To Hore
    or
    to Dragon.

    this is the dilemma

  • 2.cane: Reply to this comment
    10 Dec 2012, 10:23 am

    Izak Saaiman………………………………………………………the last of the Mohicans.

  • 3.hoof hearted: Reply to this comment
    10 Dec 2012, 10:27 am

    Cheetahs look the best on paper, imo

  • 4.cane: Reply to this comment
    10 Dec 2012, 10:32 am

    @hoof hearted-3:

    I don’t care what gunther says Hoof.

    I think you are okay.

  • 5.lovemuscle: Reply to this comment
    10 Dec 2012, 10:38 am

    So much for all the big names like Quade Cooper and Sonny Bill making an appearance. It’s like going from watching test rugby to Vodacom Cup!

  • 6.cane: Reply to this comment
    10 Dec 2012, 10:51 am

    @lovemuscle-5:

    I think this is an innovative idea, and a great step forward for SA rugby Mr Muscle.

    The benefits downstream will be seen soon enough.

  • 7.stormer in a teacup: Reply to this comment
    10 Dec 2012, 10:56 am

    Clearance? I hope he is a scrumhalf.

  • 8.stormer in a teacup: Reply to this comment
    10 Dec 2012, 10:57 am

    Maybe he hopes to play for Sale.

  • 9.katman: Reply to this comment
    10 Dec 2012, 11:09 am

    Lots of running in that Cheetahs squad.

  • 10.Mustard: Reply to this comment
    10 Dec 2012, 12:22 pm

    Clearance Khumalo……what a name for a rugby player

  • 11.Mustard: Reply to this comment
    10 Dec 2012, 12:23 pm

    Will this tournament be broadcasted on Supersport ? Anyone know?

  • 12.BrumbiesBoy: Reply to this comment
    10 Dec 2012, 12:46 pm

    @Mustard-11: I very much doubt Kaizer Motaung would’ve got involved if it wasn’t gonna be.

  • 13.groen: Reply to this comment
    10 Dec 2012, 12:48 pm

    Think the cheetahs or allstars will take it. Is that juan smit in the Mohicans team?

  • 14.Simon: Reply to this comment
    10 Dec 2012, 12:49 pm

    @Mustard-11: Yes it will.

  • 15.sparticus: Reply to this comment
    10 Dec 2012, 12:50 pm

    Well Done Bom Samaai !!!!

  • 16.Mustard: Reply to this comment
    10 Dec 2012, 13:11 pm

    Glad its going to be televised…..will be interesting to watch.

    Cheetahs, Bulls and WP look strong.

  • 17.wnbb: Reply to this comment
    10 Dec 2012, 13:24 pm

    @cane-4: Anyone taking Fa&ggotboy seriously,deserves to be shot. :D

  • 18.greatest13gerber: Reply to this comment
    10 Dec 2012, 13:44 pm

    Premier League??

    what is it with sports trying to football like or americanise their sports??

    its a joke

  • 19.Taahirah: Reply to this comment
    10 Dec 2012, 14:39 pm

    @sparticus-15: SKW-man?

  • 20.dWeePer: Reply to this comment
    10 Dec 2012, 19:46 pm

    Something to think about.
    In the 15 man game New Zeeland is regarded as the most creative rugby team.
    Their sevens team is also the most succesfull team.

  • 21.guangzhoupoes: Reply to this comment
    11 Dec 2012, 10:58 am

    Where are the big names? Quade was supposed to be the biggest name there. I can’t recognize half these players. IPL is a success because it gets the big names. Glad the Cheetahs at least are putting in their super rugby players

  • 22.Kid_Senekal: Reply to this comment
    11 Dec 2012, 11:03 am

    @groen-13: Smit bra, not Smith. This is an u/19 oke from the Bulls.

Keo.co.za has always promoted uncensored views, but has never tolerated racist or crass outbursts. Come on guys and girls. If you can't moderate yourselves or each other then I am going to be forced to regulate the posts and enforce a registration process for comments. The choice is yours.

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