Blitzboks: Senatla, Nel return for Dubai Sevens

Blitzboks’ all-time leading try-scorer, Seabelo Senatla is back in the fold, along with Stormers teammate Ruhan Nel, ahead of the opening weekend of the World Rugby Sevens Series.

The duo are two of the three players, who were not present in the previous series, who now return in time for Dubai.

Experienced players strengthen Blitzboks

Another returnee is reigning SA Rugby Sevens Player of the Year, Dylan Sage, while Bulls winger Rosko Specman is back after a season of 15-man rugby.

They make up a strong squad, captained by Siviwe Soyizwapi, which consists of experienced players such as Justin Geduld, Chris Dry and Zain Davids.

The squad features just one potential debutant in Christi Grobbelaar, who travels as a “13th player” , while JC Pretorius and Kurt-Lee Arendse are the only other players to feature in less than ten tournaments in the 12-man squad.

Coach Neil Powell said he was aiming for a strong start in the upcoming edition of the World Series.

“We had a poor start in Dubai last year and it took us a while to recover from that,” said Powell.

“We can’t promise anything this time around, but I am pretty sure the effort will be there and if that is the case, we will be very competitive.”

Neil Powell

The Blitzboks had a fruitful off-season, winning the title at Oktoberfest before second-place finishes in Kenya and England.

Powell was pleased with what they got from the exercise.

“Those results were good for us, because it removed any complacency we might have had. The margins between the teams in the World Series are so small that one bad game will punish you. We will be very aware of that.”

Neil Powell

Following regular skipper, Phillip Snyman, Soyizwapi assumes captaincy once more, having done so after injury to the Blitzboks stalwart early in the 2018/19 season.

The 26-year-old is looking forward to leading the experienced team.

“We have a number of experienced players in the squad, which makes my job much easier,” he said.

“The leadership group in the team is also settled and that helps a lot.

“We have prepared well and worked hard to be ready for this. The first tournament is normally one of the toughest out there and everybody is still fresh and eager to make their mark, so every match is a real battle.”

Siviwe Soyizwapi

The Blitzboks face England, Kenya and Spain in Pool D.

South Africa squad for Dubai Sevens

Chris Dry, Ryan Oosthuizen, Dylan Sage, Zain Davids, JC Pretorius, Siviwe Soyizwapi, Selvyn Davids, Rosko Specman, Justin Geduld, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Seabelo Senatla, Ruhan Nel, Christi Grobbelaar.