Turning heads
PLAYMAKER MISSED RIO GAMES WITH INJURY Tough-tackling Dry says they will start at the beginning.
After only playing in four tournaments in the previous season and missing out to Olympic Games selection due to niggling injuries, the 2016/17 World Rugby Sevens Series started off in impressive fashion for veteran Springbok Sevens playmaker Branco du Preez.
The elusive runner in the Blitzboks set-up had a stellar opening weekend in the Dubai Sevens last weekend and is looking forward to another good showing at the Cape Town Sevens this weekend.
“I was in a bad space after those injuries, but needed to bounce back and be myself again,” Du Preez said. “I just wanted to make a positive contribution again.”
Du Preez, who along with Cecil Afrika is fourth on the list of alltime appearances for the Springbok Sevens with 46 tournaments, is the most productive Blitzbok goalkicker ever, with 271 successful kicks. He has scored 901 points, looking to become the second player after Afrika to move past 1 000 career points.
“I just want to live my dream again and play the best rugby I can. Playing with this team and at the level the guys are playing it means you have to be at your best if you want to contribute.”
Another big contributor last weekend, Chris Dry, is again keen to produce the goods. Dry made the most tackles in the tournament in Dubai (23) and wants to contribute in any way possible.
“I am very happy just to be able to contribute to the team. They make me to up my performance and hopefully I can do the same for them,” Dry said.
The forward, who will be playing in his 54th tournament, said it is important for the team to start at ground zero again.
“We experienced a high in Dubai, but this week it was important to start at zero again,” Dry said.