Coach Paul Treu has included two new caps in his 12-man Springbok Sevens squad for round one of the Sevens World Series at the Gold Coast on 13 and 14 October in Australia.
Reuben Johannes (flank, newly South African contracted) and Ruwellyn Isbell (wing, Blue Bulls Under-19) are the newcomers and set to make their South African debuts at the Gold Coast Sevens.
Good news for the Blitzbokke is that several of their stalwarts who struggled with an assortment of injuries towards the end of last season are fit and were selected for the season-opener.
Bernado Botha, however, has failed a fitness test after injuring himself at the Middelburg Sevens and is replaced by Stephan Dippenaar. The team will again be led by hooker Kyle Brown.
There is also a welcome return to the squad for winger Tshotsho Mbovane, who last played for the Blitzbokke in Australia and Hong Kong last year.
In Middelburg, the Blitzbokke got the better of current Sevens Rugby World Cup holders Wales in an entertaining final.
Speaking to media at the team announcement in Pretoria on Thursday, Treu said his team was looking forward to a very important season.
“Our aim is to win the World Series. We had a disappointing campaign last season but have put that firmly behind us. The team is under no illusion that this is a massive year waiting for us,” said Treu.
Russia will host the Sevens Rugby World Cup in Moscow next June, and Treu reckons that a good showing in the World Series will lay the foundation for a huge Sevens Rugby World Cup challenge.
The team depart on Saturday to Australia from Johannesburg. A new addition to the management team is Ashley Evert, who is taking over the Team Manager duties from long-serving Sebastian Prim, who is now the SARU High Performance Sevens Manager.
Springbok Sevens squad: Chris Dry, Ruwellyn Isbell, Frankie Horne, Reuben Johannes, Cornal Hendricks, Kyle Brown (captain), Branco du Preez, Stephan Dippenaar, Paul Delport, Cecil Afrika, Tshotsho Mbovane, Steven Hunt.
The 2012/13 Sevens World Series calendar:
Australia, Gold Coast - 13 & 14 Oct 2012
UAE, Dubai - 30 Nov & 01 Dec 2012
South Africa, Port Elizabeth - 08 & 09 Dec 2012
New Zealand, Wellington - 01 & 02 Feb 2013
USA, Las Vegas - 08, 09 & 10 Feb 2013
China, Hong Kong - 22, 23 &24 Mar 2013
Japan, Tokyo - 30 & 31 Mar 2013
Scotland, Glasgow - 04 & 05 May 2013
England, London – 11 & 12 May 2013
Gilbert has released a new line of rugby cleats. The Gilbert Virtuo 8S is part of the exciting new product. Check it out.
The Barbarians are one of the top invitational rugby sides with a long history and classic rugby jersey.
The Nike Tiempo is a solid rugby cleat and one of few styles still made from full-grain natural leather.
The Lions get ready for their matches with this green training jersey. It's what the players wear. Get in the Gear!
A cool looking all black rugby cleat with the high performance adidas is known for. Get in the Gear!
Wear the crest of the British and Irish Lions on your t-shirt. A great look for the summer.
$29.99
The Lions are ready to get their Australia tour underway. They arrive in Perth on Monday.
The New Zealand All Blacks training jersey for 2013/14. Get in the Gear!
The USA Rugby Pro Alternate rugby jersey is perfect for any fan of the Eagles. Get yours to wear during the summer Test matches.
The NEW All Blacks 2013/14 jersey has arrived at World Rugby Shop. Dare to wear the colors of the All Blacks.
