Get ready to rumble in Dubai, folks! The Blitzboks, fresh off their dazzling win at the SVNS World Championship in Los Angeles, are packing their bags and their hefty experience for the Dubai Sevens next weekend. With eleven players from that victorious squad, this team is looking less like a rugby squad and more like a walking hall of fame. Impi Visser steps up as the new skipper, with Selvyn Davids sliding into the vice-captain slot alongside Zain Davids. Talk about a leadership buffet!
Coach Philip Snyman isn't just resting on his laurels either. He's stirred the pot by bringing in Christie Grobbelaar and Donavan Don, seasoned pros who are no strangers to the high stakes game. Grobbelaar, fresh from URC battles with the Sharks, and Don, who's been tearing up the turf with the Boland Kavaliers, are expected to sprinkle some veteran magic on the squad.
"Playing in the URC is a very high level of rugby, so I am happy to have Christie back and Donavan was just outstanding in the Currie Cup,"
Snyman praised.
"They slotted back in very well, so I am expecting them to provide some magic in Dubai."
In the backline, Shilton van Wyk, who left defenders in the dust in Los Angeles, teams up with Mfundo Ndhlovu and Don for what promises to be a high-octane trio. Meanwhile, the forwards are looking to Grobbelaar to lead the charge, especially in a pool that reads like a who's who of rugby sevens: Fiji, Argentina, and France.
While the squad mostly picks itself thanks to the championship pedigree, Snyman admits it wasn't all smooth sailing in selection. The pre-season competition was fierce, leaving several strong contenders out of the traveling party. "Team selection for this tournament was very tough," he admitted, hinting at the depth of talent bubbling under the surface.
Leadership tweaks were also on the agenda, with Visser taking the captaincy to allow Selvyn Davids to focus on what he does best — dazzling with the ball. Snyman commented on the switch,
"Selvyn is such a key player for us and we wanted to free him up from any added pressures and I want him to just be the brilliant playmaker he is, without any extra burden."
As the team prepares to depart for Dubai on Monday, here's a look at the players representing the Springbok Sevens: Christie Grobbelaar, Ryan Oosthuizen, Impi Visser (c), Zain Davids, Ricardo Duarttee, Ronald Brown, Selvyn Davids, Shilton van Wyk, Mfundo Ndhlovu, Donavan Don, David Brits, Zander Reynders, and Tristan Leyds. Dubai, you've been warned: the Blitzboks are coming, and they're bringing their A-game!
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Get ready to rumble in Dubai, folks! The Blitzboks, fresh off their dazzling win at the SVNS World Championship in Los Angeles, are packing their bags and their hefty experience for the Dubai Sevens next weekend. With eleven players from that victorious squad, this team is looking less like a rugby squad and more like a walking hall of fame. Impi Visser steps up as the new skipper, with Selvyn Davids sliding into the vice-captain slot alongside Zain Davids. Talk about a leadership buffet!
Coach Philip Snyman isn't just resting on his laurels either. He's stirred the pot by bringing in Christie Grobbelaar and Donavan Don, seasoned pros who are no strangers to the high stakes game. Grobbelaar, fresh from URC battles with the Sharks, and Don, who's been tearing up the turf with the Boland Kavaliers, are expected to sprinkle some veteran magic on the squad.
"Playing in the URC is a very high level of rugby, so I am happy to have Christie back and Donavan was just outstanding in the Currie Cup,"
Snyman praised."They slotted back in very well, so I am expecting them to provide some magic in Dubai."
In the backline, Shilton van Wyk, who left defenders in the dust in Los Angeles, teams up with Mfundo Ndhlovu and Don for what promises to be a high-octane trio. Meanwhile, the forwards are looking to Grobbelaar to lead the charge, especially in a pool that reads like a who's who of rugby sevens: Fiji, Argentina, and France.
While the squad mostly picks itself thanks to the championship pedigree, Snyman admits it wasn't all smooth sailing in selection. The pre-season competition was fierce, leaving several strong contenders out of the traveling party. "Team selection for this tournament was very tough," he admitted, hinting at the depth of talent bubbling under the surface.
Leadership tweaks were also on the agenda, with Visser taking the captaincy to allow Selvyn Davids to focus on what he does best — dazzling with the ball. Snyman commented on the switch,
"Selvyn is such a key player for us and we wanted to free him up from any added pressures and I want him to just be the brilliant playmaker he is, without any extra burden."
As the team prepares to depart for Dubai on Monday, here's a look at the players representing the Springbok Sevens: Christie Grobbelaar, Ryan Oosthuizen, Impi Visser (c), Zain Davids, Ricardo Duarttee, Ronald Brown, Selvyn Davids, Shilton van Wyk, Mfundo Ndhlovu, Donavan Don, David Brits, Zander Reynders, and Tristan Leyds. Dubai, you've been warned: the Blitzboks are coming, and they're bringing their A-game!