Experienced Blitzboks side selected for World Cup

Springbok Sevens coach Niel Powell has selected a squad boasting experience for the Rugby World Cup Sevens in San Francisco next weekend.

South Africa, standing as current World Sevens Series champions, are the top seed for the World Cup, which will take place between the 20-22 July at AT&T Park in San Francisco.

While only captain Philp Snyman has World Cup experience (playing in Dubai in 2009 and Moscow in 2013), all 12 squad members were involved in the last World Series, played across 10 tournaments around the world.

Snyamn will become the first Blitzbok to play in three RWC tournaments, and he will be bolstered buy the experience of Springok Sevens regulars Rosko Specman and Selvyn Davids who are returning from injury.

Kyle Brown, Cecil Afrika, Chris Dry, Seabelo Senatla (who all played in Moscow in 2013), Tim Agaba and Stedman Gans were ruled out due to injury, while Kwagga Smith and Sikhumbuzo Notshe were not considered due to Super Rugby commitments.

“I am pleased with the squad,” Powell said.

“The team was picked with this tournament in mind and I am pleased that these 12 players are all on form and best suited for the way we approach the knock-out format of the event.

“A couple of players missed out on final selection, but did contribute to our overall preparations and those efforts are appreciated and acknowledged. Just as all of the 28 players contributed towards our World Series title, all involved did great work in order to get these 12 players ready for next weekend.”

Snyman is set on doing his country proud in his third RWC appearance, saying,“We have received wonderful support from our supporters here in the Southern Cape and Gauteng last week and that made us even more determined not to let them down.

“We do not have the greatest of records in this tournament, but that said, we know we will be a very competitive team if we play to our strengths and within our game plan. It is exciting times for all of us and we are ready to do our best for our country.”

Springbok Sevens RWC side

1. Ryan Oosthuizen

2. Philip Snyman (captain)

3. Dylan Sage

4. Zain Davids

5. Werner Kok

6. Heino Bezuidenhout

7. Dewald Human

8. Rosko Specman

9. Justin Geduld

10. Selvyn Davids

11. Siviwe Soyizwapi

12. Ruhan Nel