JOHANNESBURG — With two tournaments left in this season’s World Sevens Series, four points separating Fiji and South Africa at the top of the standings, the Fijians enjoying a purple patch of form with three successive wins, and South Africa welcoming back some stalwarts, this weekend’s action at Twickenham will be uncompromising and tense. The Blitzboks have maintained a steady head of steam all season, always qualifying for the semi-finals in the 8 tournaments played so far, but failing to take maximum points after the tournament opener in Dubai. The squad is significantly boosted by the return of several key players who’ve been out through various reasons – injury (Branco du Preez and Justin Geduld), rested (Ruhan Nel), or Super Rugby duties (Seabelo Senatla). The Stormers speedster is the biggest weapon in coach Neil Powell arsenal. He’s a try-scoring machine, having played in only four tournaments this season but amassing 30 tries – still the most by a Blitzbok in 2017/18. Both he and Nel are raring to go as the World Sevens Series goes into the penultimate tournament. – David O’Sullivan
From SA Rugby
Springbok Sevens winger, Seabelo Senatla, found the Blitzboks squad pretty much as he left it in March to pursue his fifteens dreams, when he re-joined them last week to prepare for the last two tournaments of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series in London and Paris.
The flyer and record try-scorer for South Africa returns to Sevens duties this weekend, having last played in Hamilton, New Zealand (the fourth of ten tournaments), and said the return was an easy one as he immediately felt at home again with the Blitzboks.
“It was easy coming back, this family always stayed family and I watched them play when I was away,” the player admitted.
“I am not going to try and change anything this weekend,” said Senatla about the forthcoming pool D clashes with Russia, Samoa and Canada at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday.
“I know what my job is. I want to thank both coaches in my rugby set-up, the DHL Stormers coach, Robbie Fleck, for allowing me to come back to the Sevens and to coach Neil Powell, for wanting me back and giving me another opportunity to serve my country. I owe both of them a good performance, as both made sacrifices for me.
“There are small adjustments to be made, but thanks to my team mates and coaches, I believe things will go well. I am keen to get back on the field with these guys,” Senatla said.
Nope, no PhotoShop, he can really fly. But don't expect miracles from @seabelo_Senatla this weekend at the @London7s as the flyer just wants to get back into the swing of things and help his team. #weplayforyou pic.twitter.com/0k4iougXLP
— Springbok Sevens (@Blitzboks) May 29, 2018
Ruhan Nel was not part of the Blitzboks effort during the last two tournaments in the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series in Hong Kong and Singapore, and he can’t wait to get back onto the field and contribute to their effort in trying to win a second World Series title in as many years.
Nel missed the Hong Kong tournament due to preparations for the Commonwealth Games, and he was rested due to a heavy workload earlier in the season for Singapore.
“It is not nice not to be involved,” Nel admitted.
“I am someone who always want to contribute and especially with the guys I am playing with in the Blitzboks, you want to be part of it. It is such a massive honour and privilege to play for this team and to play with these guys. You don’t want to miss out on that.”
Nel has played in 26 tournaments for the team after making his debut in New Zealand in 2014 and scored a hat-trick on debut.
“ O captain my captain “ @snymanphilip with his 15 collagues at the official photo ahead of @LondonSevens at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/9Hk8dRVRKF
— Springbok Sevens (@Blitzboks) May 30, 2018
“It was exciting to see the younger players doing so well in Hong Kong and it was bittersweet watching them in Singapore. I wanted to be there, but understood the reasons why I was not. That said, I am in London now and have this wonderful opportunity to be part of the team again.”
Nel said the squad realise what they have to do and how tight the race to the series title is, with South Africa only four points behind Fiji on the overall log.
“In the past I found that, when we didn’t look at outside factors, but rather internally, we play our best rugby. So for us to be successful this weekend, we need to just look at our own process and what we need to do to achieve our goals. If we do that the results will look after themselves.”
The Blitzboks face Russia, Canada and Samoa in pool D.
They have never lost to Russia in 21 matches with an average score of 29-7. Against Canada, they hold a 43-5 win advantage (average 27-9) and against Samoa 45-21, with an average score of 18-13.
The Springbok Sevens fixtures for Day One is: (SA times)
10h52: Russia
13h58: Canada
17h04: Samoa
Sources:
http://www.sarugby.co.za/article.aspx?category=sarugby&pcurr=1&id=4313324
http://www.sarugby.co.za/article.aspx?category=sarugby&pcurr=1&id=4313554
