Afrika calls time on glittering Blitzboks career

Former World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year Cecil Afrika has called time on a glittering Blitzboks career that spanned 12 seasons.

SA’s highest points scorer reached a mutual agreement with the Springboks Sevens management, and bows out after 345 Sevens Series matches and a points tally of 1,462.

Afrika’s national contract ends in July and with no international matches or tournaments scheduled due to the Covid-19 pandemic‚ Springbok Sevens coach Neil Powell has confirmed his departure.

“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.

“He has been a great in the game‚ his achievements speak for themselves and he inspired many to enjoy the game of Sevens.

“I played with Cecil when he made his debut in 2009 and in the last couple of years‚ and had the privilege of coaching him as well. 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 he has been with the Blitzboks.”

The postponement of the Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo to 2021 dealt Afrika a cruel blow‚ but he hopes to appear in Japan in some capacity. “The Covid-19 pandemic we are facing is definitely not something anyone wished for and was certainly not expected,” Afrika said.

“As much as it has rearranged and possibly unsettled my Olympic 2020 chances‚ it is a dream deferred and not cancelled.

“I believe I can definitely add value from my experience and I would love to be a part of that‚ not only as a player on the field but also on the other side of the white lines.”

Powell said they agreed a year ago that Afrika would make his swansong in 2020, but that option had fallen away.

“We extended his contract last year for him to have a shot at making the Olympic squad‚ but with that being postponed to next year‚ that option cruelly fell away and is not available any more.”