Afrika to miss Sevens tournament
THE Springboks have made three changes to their squad for the next two rounds of the rugby Sevens World Series in Dubai and Port Elizabeth.
Blitzbokke playmaker Cecil Afrika has not yet recovered from the niggling knee injury he sustained at the Gold Coast Sevens and was not considered for selection.
Afrika was replaced by debutant Kevin Luiters, the 20-year old Free State Cheetahs scrumhalf.
Philip Snyman, the Cheetahs’ outside back who recently rejoined the Springbok Sevens on a two-year contract, returns in place of Ruwellyn Isbell, while Golden Lions loose forward Warren Whiteley gets his first outing in place of Reuben Johannes.
Both Johannes and Isbell had their first taste of World Series action at the Gold Coast, where the Springbok Sevens finished third. Robert Ebersohn was not considered due to a hamstring injury.
“It is obviously disappointing not to have Cecil fit for Dubai.
“Unfortunately, he has not recovered fully and we will not take any chances,“coach Paul Treu said.
“Philip and Warren are big boys and both are eager to play for the Springbok Sevens.
“They have fitted in nicely during our training sessions and I am looking forward to seeing them in action.”
South Africa share a tough pool with crowd favourites England, Samoa and Portugal.
The Dubai Sevens takes place on November 30 and December 1, followed by the Nelson Mandela Bay Sevens in Port Elizabeth on December 8-9. The Springboks Sevens squad is: Chris Dry, Philip Snyman, Frankie Horne, Warren Whiteley, Cornal Hendricks, Kyle Brown (captain), Branco du Preez, Stephan Dippenaar, Paul Delport, Kevin Luiters, Tshotsho Mbovane, Steven Hunt.