A group of 23 Springbok Sevens players including four new players has been announced and will start soon with full preparations at their base in Stellenbosch for the upcoming Sevens World Series.
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Stephan Dippenaar, the Blue Bulls centre who was released from his provincial contract and who last week signed a two-year agreement with the Springbok Sevens, is one of four newcomers in the squad. The other three rookies are Western Province Under-21 hooker Reuben Johannes, Boland Cavaliers utility back Cornal Hendricks and wing Dirk Dippenaar.
IRB Sevens Player of the Year, Cecil Afrika, is one of five injured players included in the group who will continue with their rehabilitation under the watchful eye of team management. The other injured players are Branco du Preez (ankle), Craig Barry (pelvis), Tshotsho Mbovane (knee) and Pieter Engelbrecht (ankle).
Robert Ebersohn, the Free State Cheetahs centre and a former contracted SA Sevens player, makes his return to the squad in an agreement between SARU and the Cheetahs, which will see the centre run out for the Blitzbokke in Australia and Dubai.
The Sharks trio of Lubabalo Mtembu, Paul Jordaan and Sibusiso Sithole were included in the squad but they are unfortunately unavailable.
Coach Paul Treu said he was delighted to have the full squad together again.
“It was so great to see all of them together again because quite a few of them were involved in the Currie Cup. You could immediately sense the excitement and energy and we will now work flat out to ensure we are in good condition and well prepared when we depart to Australia on November 18,” explained Treu.
Treu confirmed that that he will name his travelling squad of twelve to the Gold Coast on November 11. The Sevens World Series starts on 25-26 November in Australia and the teams will then be in action for the following two weeks in Dubai (2-3 December) and South Africa (9-10 December).
The Springbok Sevens training squad:
Forwards: Chase Minnaar, Kyle Brown, Frankie Horne, Chris Dry, Neil Powell, Boom Prinsloo, Reuben Johannes, Cornal Hendricks, Dirk Dippenaar, Pieter Engelbrecht.
Backs: Paul Delport, Cecil Afrika, Branco du Preez, Steven Hunt, Renfred Dazel, Bernado Botha, Mark Richards, Craig Barry, Tshotsho Mbovane, William Small-Smith, Stephan Dippenaar, MJ Mentz, Robert Ebersohn.