The two-time World Series winner and Commonwealth Games gold medallist, Mfundo Ndhlovu, makes a welcome return to the Springbok Sevens team, while the uncapped Zander Reynders has been included.

Last week, during the Dubai 7s in the UAE, the hard-grafting Ryan Oosthuizen and Christie Grobbelaar picked up injuries that ruled them out of the home tournament.

The coach, Philip Snyman, said injuries are part and parcel of the game, and it’s just an opportunity for the next man. “Mfundo came close to selection for Dubai, so he was always in contention for Cape Town, while Zander impressed from the very first day after joining us following the completion of his exams in early November.”  

“It is tough to lose two stalwarts like Ryan and Christie, who would have dearly loved to play in front of their home crowd, but this creates a great opportunity for the two new players.

Christie Grobbelaar and Zain Davids. Photo: X

“Zander has been on our radar for a while now and played for us in a pre-season tournament in Middelburg in September. He joined us as soon as he had finished his final exams in November. He roomed with Impi this week, which was great as he could learn a lot. As fellow engineers, I’m sure they not only talked about rugby all the time, which is good.”

The Blitzboks will kick off their Cape Town sevens campaign on Saturday at 11:44 when they face Ireland.

Blitzboks squad for Cape Town: Impi Visser (co-captain), Zain Davids (co-captain), Ricardo Duarttee, Shaun Williams, Dewald Human, Siviwe Soyizwapi, Shilton van Wyk, Mfundo Ndhlovu, Quewin Nortjé, Donavan Don, David Brits, Zander Reynders, Tristan Leyds

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek dg