The Springbok Sevens will not only have to cope with the time difference and massive home support but also blending in a raft of new players at HSBC New Zealand Sevens in Hamilton this weekend.
Springbok Sevens stalwart Ryan Oosthuizen will be completing a personal milestone this weekend at the HSBC NZ Sevens tournament in Hamilton, when he is due to compete in his first HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series tournament in New Zealand, although he has already represented South Africa in 35 tournaments.
Former Boland Kavaliers standout Jaiden Baron, has been named in the Springbok Sevens squad that will travel to Australasia to contest the HSBC NZ Sevens and HSBC Sydney Sevens tournaments later this month.
South Africa’s most-capped Springbok Sevens player, Branco du Preez, has retired from international sevens rugby and will leave the Blitzboks with a bouquet of career records, gold medals and highlights.
The Springbok Sevens team began their new era under head coach Sandile Ngcobo with a 21-0 victory over Uruguay on the opening day of the Hong Kong Sevens on Friday.
New Blitzbok coach Sandile Ngcobo has named his squad for the season-opening HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series in Hong Kong.
South Africa thumped reigning Olympic champions Fiji to win the men’s sevens gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham on Sunday.
The Blitzboks produced a scintillating performance to thrash Canada and progress to the semi-finals of the Commonwealth Games Sevens in Birmingham on Saturday night.
Siviwe Soyizwapi will lead the South African men’s sevens team at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, where Team SA will look to emulate Neil Powell’s 2014 class of gold medallists.
Seabelo Senatla is among the Vodacom United Rugby Championship stars who have been named in Team SA’s sevens squad for the Commonwealth Games in July.