The Blitzboks' Zain Davids, along with his teammates Impi Visser and Sebastiaan Jobb, are all set to light up the second edition of India’s Rugby Premier League (RPL). Running from June 16 to 28, the league is pulling in big names from the sevens circuit, following their recent triumph at the SVNS World Championship in Bordeaux.
Soon after lifting the trophy, Davids was pitched an offer he couldn’t refuse. “After the trophy presentation last weekend, the Spanish coach Paco Hernandez asked me if I wanted to play for his team in the Rugby Premier League,” Davids revealed. His affirmative response was swift: “I told him yes, I would love to.” Davids will be joining the Bengaluru Bravehearts, and is expected to arrive in India this weekend, pending visa formalities.
“They have sent additional information to me, and I should receive my visa within four days. I will probably join the team this weekend.”
The RPL, which kicked off last year, has rapidly become a key event in the global sevens scene. It features six city-based franchises and has expanded this year to include a women’s tournament, in a bid to deepen the sport's roots in one of the largest emerging markets.
Davids is a firm believer in the transformative power of leagues like the RPL for the sport of rugby sevens. “The Rugby Premier League is good for sevens rugby in general because World Rugby can see how important the format is,” he stated. The league not only provides a platform for players sidelined from the traditional 15-man game but also enhances their visibility on the international stage.
“Tournaments like these provide valuable exposure for players who may not get opportunities in the 15-man game and allow them to showcase their talent.”
The introduction of the RPL to the world of rugby is a clear signal that the sport's future might be sprinting towards shorter, more dynamic formats, where talents like Davids and his teammates can truly shine.