Fit again Afrika joins Blitzboks in Hong Kong
Cecil Afrika will join the Springbok Sevens rugby squad in Hong Kong after the former IRB Sevens Player of the Year passed his fitness test over the weekend. Afrika, who has now recovered fully from a hamstring niggle, replaces Steven Hunt.
The addition of Afrika will further strengthen the Blitzboks in the crucial positions of flyhalf and sweeper as they go in search of a victory at the famous Hong Kong Sevens for the first time.
On Sunday Fiji scored a try in the dying seconds of a magnificent Tokyo Sevens Cup Final to snatch the tournament title away from the Springbok Sevens.
Thanks to their impressive form and consistent performances, the South Africans managed to regain the overall lead on the HSBC Sevens World Series standings. With just three more rounds to go, including this weekend’s much anticipated showdown in Hong Kong, the Blitzboks (116 points) lead New Zealand by just two points, with Tokyo winners Fiji trailing in third place.
South Africa have now reached a remarkable five World Series Cup finals so far this season and their two Cup titles in Port Elizabeth and Las Vegas mean they have won the same number of tournaments as rivals New Zealand and Fiji in the 2013/2014 season. Kyle Brown and his Blitzboks squad finished fourth at the season-opening Gold Coast Sevens in Australia.
Neil Powell, the Springbok Sevens coach, described the inclusion of fit-again Afrika as fantastic news for his team.
“It’s great to have Cecil back because he was in very good form before his injury. It is unfortunate that Steven Hunt has to make way, but Cecil is a very important player for us. He will assist Branco (du Preez) and Justin (Geduld) in the key positions of playmaker and sweeper, which are important attacking positions,” explained Powell.
Powell added that his team came through unscathed despite a bruising Cup Final against the very physical Fijians in Tokyo. “I am relieved that apart from a few bruises and small niggles, the guys all came through with no injury worries,” said Powell.
The South Africans arrived in Hong Kong on Monday, and will get their preparations underway on Tuesday for the tough three-day tournament.
Meanwhile, the Springbok Sevens were drawn with Australia, France and Spain in Pool B of the Hong Kong Sevens. They will face France on Friday night at the Hong Kong Football Stadium followed by Spain and Australia on Saturday.
The Springbok Sevens squad for Hong Kong:
1. Chris Dry
2. Philip Snyman
3. Frankie Horne
4. Kwagga Smith
5. Werner Kok
6. Kyle Brown
7. Branco du Preez
8. Stephan Dippenaar
9. Justin Geduld
10. Jamba Ulengo
11. Cecil Afrika
12. Seabelo Senatla
Coach: Neil Powell
The Hong Kong Sevens pool draw:
Pool A: Fiji, Kenya, Wales, Sri Lanka
Pool B: South Africa, Australia, France, Spain
Pool C: England, Canada, Argentina, Portugal
Pool D: New Zealand, USA, Scotland, Samoa
The draw had previously been made for the 12-team core Series qualifier to be played alongside the main competition in Hong Kong between two teams from each of the IRB’s six regions.
Pool E: Russia, Zimbabwe, Chile, Barbados
Pool F: Hong Kong, Italy, Tunisia, American Samoa
Pool G: Japan, Cook Islands, Uruguay, Trinidad & Tobago
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