Afrika out for Springbok Sevens
Springbok Sevens coach Paul Treu has made three changes to his squad for the next two rounds of the HSBC Sevens World Series, in Dubai and Port Elizabeth, with the ommission of Cecil Afrika hogging the headlines.
Playmaker and former IRB Sevens Player of the Year Afrika has not yet recovered from the niggling knee injury he sustained at the season-opening Gold Coast Sevens and was therefore not considered for selection.
He is replaced by debutant Kevin Luiters, the promising 20-year old Toyota Free State Cheetahs scrum-half.
Philip Snyman, the FS Cheetahs outside back who recently re-joined the Springbok Sevens on a two-year contract, returns in place of Ruwellyn Isbell, while promising MTN Golden Lions loose forward Warren Whiteley gets his first outing in place of Reuben Johannes.
Johannes and Isbell both had their first taste of World Series action at the Gold Coast, where the Springbok Sevens finished third.
Robert Ebersohn (Toyota Free State Cheetahs) was not considered for selection due to a hamstring injury.
“It is obviously disappointing not to have Cecil fit for Dubai. Unfortunately, he has not recovered fully and we will not take any chances," said Treu.
“Philip and Warren are big boys and both are eager to play for the Springbok Sevens. They have fitted in nicely during our training sessions and I am looking forward to see them in action.”
The Emirates Airline Dubai Sevens will be played on 30 November and 1 December and South Africa share a tough pool challenge with crowd favourites England, powerful Samoa and the ever-improving Portugal.
The following week the teams will descend to South Africa to play the Cell C Nelson Mandela Bay Sevens in Port Elizabeth on 8-9 December.
Springbok Sevens: Chris Dry, Philip Snyman, Frankie Horne, Warren Whiteley (MTN Golden Lions), Cornal Hendricks, Kyle Brown (c), Branco du Preez, Stephan Dippenaar, Paul Delport, Kevin Luiters (Toyota Free State Cheetahs), Tshotsho Mbovane, Steven Hunt
Video: South Africa's last Cup win - Edinburgh 2011
