End of an era for Blitzboks
They will no longer be able to rely on awesome Afrika
NOBODY is irreplaceable but there isn’t anyone who can say that the Blitzboks aren’t going to miss Cecil Afrika.
SA Rugby yesterday confirmed that South Africa’s top points scorer has ended his 12-year journey with the Springbok Sevens side, a journey that encompassed no shortage of career highlights and achievements.
Afrika, who made his debut in Dubai in 2009, played in his 66th and final tournament for the Blitzboks in Vancouver in March this year.
He was part of two World Series-winning squads (2017 and 2018), as well as the SA team that won Commonwealth Games gold (2014) and Olympic bronze (2016) medals.
One achievement that his Sevens resume doesn’t include, however, is the top podium finish at the Olympics, and it’s something the 32-year-old is still keen to chase should the opportunity present itself.
Afrika’s national contract will run its course at the end of July and with no international matches or tournaments scheduled in that time, the former World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year bows out after 345 matches in the World Sevens Series and a grand points tally of 1 462.
Blitzboks coach Neil Powell said that the celebrated athlete’s career has been an inspirational one.
“He has been a great in the game, his achievements speak for itself 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, 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.
“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,” he added.
Afrika had targeted a spot for the 2020 Olympics, but with the spectacle having been postponed until 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it’s one final box he won’t be able to tick this year.
“We extended his contract last year in order 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 anymore,” said Powell.
Despite the disruption, Afrika isn’t letting go of that dream just yet.
“As much as the Covid-19 pandemic has rearranged and possibly unsettled my Olympics 2020 chances, it is a dream deferred and not cancelled,” he said.
“As management has mentioned, the possibility remains should the opportunity to play in the 2021 Olympics present itself. I am always ready to play should the Blitzboks need me.
“Aside from keeping up my professional fitness to stay prepared for opportunities that may avail themselves, I also plan to be more involved in skills training within rugby and overall sports development initiatives.
“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, as I have rather a great passion for contributing to the components related to the game in other forms such as analysis and coaching.
“As a professional athlete my value doesn’t and shouldn’t only come from what I am able to do on the field, but as a person too.”