Powell looks to Blitzbok youngsters

SPRINGBOK Sevens coach Neil Powell has called on his smarting charges to unite and hit back in style when the Vancouver tournament kicks off later today.

The BlitzBoks are a much-weakened side after several first choice players picked up, while they’re coming off a fourth place finish in Las Vegas last weekend. Despite this, the South Africans are still 10 points clear as the front-runners in the series, with New Zealand second.

Powell’s men face Russia, Scotland and Canada in Pool D play before the knockout rounds tomorrow.

“The junior players are a week more experienced than last weekend in Vegas so they have another opportunity to improve and contribute,” said Powell.

More than half of the squad members have a combined total of tournament caps that is fewer than the number of Kyle Brown (63), the most experienced player in the squad.

“The reality is that if I had the likes of Rosko Specman and Werner Kok available I would have played them. But they are not here and I need to play the youngsters, and that is pleasing, too. They need to get game-time and develop and so this is not only an opportunity for them, but for our whole system as well as we need to broaden our base”

Powell has asked his players to put in a big effort this weekend. “We have prepared well so the only thing left for us to do is deliver a performance that we can be proud of.”

The rookies in the SA squad are Ryan Oosthuizen (five tournaments), Zain Davids (8), Muller du Plessis (1), Selvyn Davids (2), Stedman Gans (7) and Marco Labuschagne (1). The numbers for the rest of the squad: Cecil Afrika (58), Siviwe Soyizwapi (14), Philip Snyman (51), Ruhan Nel (25), Branco du Preez (59) and Brown (63).

Fixtures today: Russia (7.52pm), Scotland (11.24pm), New Zealand (tomorrow morning 2.56am).