Springbok Sevens head coach Sandile Ngcobo will not travel with the team to Dubai for the 2024 HSBC SVNS opener due to medical reasons, with assistant coach Philip Snyman taking over the main coaching responsibilities.

Ngcobo injured his Achilles in training early last week and needed surgery to repair the damage. While the procedure was successful, the Blitzbok head coach decided not to travel to Dubai after a follow-up meeting with the surgeon on Wednesday afternoon.

Snyman will be assisted by SA Rugby’s High-Performance Manager for Sevens, Marius Schoeman.

Ngcobo will be back at the helm for the HSBC SVNS Cape Town, to be played on 9-10 December.

“I have full faith in Philip to guide the team next week,” said Ngcobo.

“He will get good support from the senior players in the squad and with Marius also travelling to Dubai, Philip will also have back-up in the coaching department. I will follow the matches closely and provide post-match support to the coaches.”

“My main aim now is to use the time to recover well and be ready for what promises to be a very exciting home tournament in Cape Town in two weeks’ time.”

Ngcobo will announce the squad for Dubai on Friday.

Issued by SA Rugby Communications