Cecil Afrika steps away from Blitzboks
The most celebrated Springbok Sevens player of his generation, Cecil Afrika, has ended his official Blitzboks journey after 12 seasons of highlights and achievements, but has not quite given up on his Olympic dream.
Unless called upon, SA’s highest points’ scorer will not don the Blitzbok colours again after a mutual agreement between the player and Springbok Sevens management.
Afrika’s national contract will run its course at the end of July and with no international matches or tournaments scheduled until then, it means that the former World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year (2011) will bow out after 345 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series matches and a points’ tally of 1,462.
Afrika, who made his debut in Dubai in 2009, played in his final and 66th tournament for his country in Vancouver, Canada, in March.
He was part of two World Series-winning Blitzbok squads (2017 and 2018), as well as the SA team that won Commonwealth Games gold (2014) and Olympic bronze (2016) medals.
Springbok Sevens coach Neil Powell confirmed the departure of Afrika.
“It is one of those inevitable things in professional sport, but even so, it remains a sad day to say goodbye to Cecil when his contract expires,” Powell said.
“I played with Cecil when he made his debut in 2009 and in the last couple of years, had the privilege of coaching him.
“He was a truly gifted player who came back from some serious injuries more than once to achieve amazing feats as a player and squad member.
“We will say goodbye to him in a more formal way later in the year, but for now the Springbok Sevens management would like to thank him for his contributions over the many years.
“Cecil has set very high standards for those to follow and there is no doubt that he will leave the jersey in a better place, something every international rugby player strives for.”
Afrika said he understood that retirement was part of professional sport, but he would be available if needed.
“Beyond contractual agreements, as a professional athlete, one is always aware of the fact that the time will come that you either stop playing for a team or when retire, and in this instance it only means that I will not be with the Blitzboks,” Afrika said. —