Human to join Blitzboks in Paris in place of Davids
The Springbok Sevens team were forced to call up a third replacement on Monday in Dewald Human, in the place of Selvyn Davids, who has withdrawn from the squad due to personal reasons.
Human had to hurry to Cape Town International Airport and left South Africa on short notice late on Monday evening. He will join two other injury replacements, Cecil Afrika and Mfundo Ndhlovu, in the French capital on Tuesday.
It will be a special week in Paris for Afrika. A year ago, his dreams of celebrating a second HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series title with the Blitzboks in France were shattered when his hamstring ripped right off the bone in London. The experienced playmaker limped back to Cape Town, not knowing that it would eventually take 12 months for him to return to his beloved Springbok Sevens team.
Passing each other somewhere over Africa that night, Human, on his way to Paris to replace Afrika, had big dreams of helping the Blitzboks win the final at Stade Jean-Bouin, where he made his debut the year before.
Human managed to score in what turned out to be a crazy final against England and at the end of the Paris tournament, he not only celebrated the World Series victory with the Blitzboks, but he was also named Player of the Final.
Twelve months later, both Afrika and Human will be in Paris to come to the aid of the Blitzboks.
For Human, who played in Dubai, Cape Town, Hamilton and Sydney in the current season, this is an opportunity to redeem himself, following some fluctuating performances in the opening four legs that followed that Paris masterclass in 2018.
And for Afrika, who replaced the injured Stedman Gans, it is a chance to prove to himself – and others – that he can still play amongst the great names in the sport, where his name as South Africa’s leading points’ scorer of all time is inked in, seemingly with a permanent marker.
The two playmakers had different points to ponder on their way to the French capital, but both placed themselves at the main end goal – to contribute to the team and deliver an effort that would benefit the Springbok Sevens.
“It was hard for me at times,” Afrika admitted before departing from Cape Town.
“The rehabilitation process was slow. At times, too slow, it felt. But I realised that I needed time and that it will take as long as it took for the tendons to heal and for me play pain-free again.”
The 30-year-old Afrika, who overcame a serious knee injury in 2013, worked hard and he is grateful for those who looked after him on his road to recovery.
“Our medical staff did wonders – there were dark times, to be honest, but thanks to their encouragement and the positive words of loved ones and friends, I kept going,” said Afrika.
“I still have some dreams and goals to achieve in this game, with this team, so to be back means so much. Even in circumstances such as these, having to replace a team mate that is in pain and discomfort.”
Human is ready to continue his love affair with Paris. He once dreamed of playing at Roland Garros and serving aces, but now he is pretty much focussed on being the best Blitzbok squad member he can be.
“It is funny that so many good things happened to me on this field,” Human said.
“It is just one of those things, I suppose. Hopefully I can contribute again and help keep up the standards we created over the last couple of seasons.”
With the World Series title now a dog fight between Fiji and the USA and the passage to Tokyo confirmed, Human hopes for some opportunities to express himself.
“I am expecting Coach Neil (Powell) to tell us to go out and enjoy ourselves. We have done the hard work. I have not played with the squad in a tournament in a while, so will need to fit in quickly, but I am keen to bring the vibe into the team,” said Human, who believes the Blitzboks will strike back this weekend.
“We did not have our best tournament in London, but everybody will be keen to turn things around and make the country proud again.”
