The Springbok Sevens will not only have to cope with the time difference and massive home support but also blending in a raft of new players at HSBC New Zealand Sevens in Hamilton this weekend.
Springbok Sevens stalwart Ryan Oosthuizen will be completing a personal milestone this weekend at the HSBC NZ Sevens tournament in Hamilton, when he is due to compete in his first HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series tournament in New Zealand, although he has already represented South Africa in 35 tournaments.
Former Boland Kavaliers standout Jaiden Baron, has been named in the Springbok Sevens squad that will travel to Australasia to contest the HSBC NZ Sevens and HSBC Sydney Sevens tournaments later this month.
South Africa’s most-capped Springbok Sevens player, Branco du Preez, has retired from international sevens rugby and will leave the Blitzboks with a bouquet of career records, gold medals and highlights.
South Africa thumped reigning Olympic champions Fiji to win the men’s sevens gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham on Sunday.
The Blitzboks produced a scintillating performance to thrash Canada and progress to the semi-finals of the Commonwealth Games Sevens in Birmingham on Saturday night.
Seabelo Senatla is among the Vodacom United Rugby Championship stars who have been named in Team SA’s sevens squad for the Commonwealth Games in July.
The popular leg of the World Sevens Series returns to the Mother City this year, when the best men’s and women’s teams will compete at Cape Town Stadium for the first time since 2019.
Debutant Dalvon Blood scored a hat-trick as the Blitzboks demolished Japan in their Plate quarter-final of the France Sevens on Saturday.
The Blitzboks will face old rivals Samoa in the Cup quarter-finals of the Canada Sevens after a clean sweep of Pool C at BC Place on Saturday.