HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2015/16 Cape Town Sevens Cape Town Stadium Cape Town, South Africa 12-13 December 2015
Content Message from the Coach HSBC Sevens World Series Schedule Springbok Sevens – Brief history Tournament information – Cape Town Springbok Sevens Player Profiles Springbok Sevens Management Profiles 1|Page
Message from the Springbok Sevens coach Neil Powell We are absolutely delighted to be playing in Cape Town and the support for the team and the tournament have been amazing. Not only us, but all the teams were made to feel special and very welcome from the first minute we arrived in Cape Town. The build-up in the week has been fantastic, with hundreds of supporters also coming out to meet us at the Waterfront. The prospects of playing in front of 1110 000 home supporters in the beautiful Cape Town Stadium is really exciting and the players are looking forward to the occasion.
We have embraced the huge expectations and the pressure and our results in Port Elizabeth the past two seasons are proof that we can handle the pressure of a home tournament. There are two changes to our squad for this coming weekend. Dylan Sage and Rosko Specman comes in respectively for Werner Kok and Cecil Afrika, who are both injured. It is really unfortunate to have lost those two regulars, but their injuries open the door to new opportunities for Dylan and Rosco, both products of our successful SARU Sevens Academy. We have worked hard to solve the mistakes of last week and the players are looking forward to a great tournament in the Mother City. Springbok Sevens coach Neil Powell
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HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series Schedule 2015/16 Round 1 – Dubai 4-5 Dec 2015 (winners: Fiji; South Africa Plate Winners) Round 2 - Cape Town 12-13 Dec 2015 Round 3 - Wellington 30-31 Jan 2016 Round 4 - Sydney 6-7 Feb 2016 Round 5 - Las Vegas 4-6 Mar 2016 Round 6 - Vancouver 12-13 Mar 2016 Round 7 - Hong Kong 8-10 April 2016 Round 8 - Singapore 16-17 April 2016 Round 9 - Paris 14-15 May 2016 Round 10 - London 21-22 May 2016
Springbok Sevens – HSBC Sevens World Series history 1999/2000: Fifth – 80 points (overall winner: New Zealand) 2000/2001: Fifth – 82 points (overall winner: New Zealand) 2001/2002: Second – 136 points (overall winner: New Zealand) 2002/2003: Fourth – 82 points (overall winner: New Zealand) 2003/2004: Fifth – 74 points (overall winner: New Zealand) (see Note) 2004/2005: Fourth – 76 points (overall winner: New Zealand) 2005/2006: Third – 110 points (overall winner: Fiji) 2006/2007: Fourth – 94 points (overall winner: New Zealand) 2007/2008: Second – 106 points (overall winner: New Zealand)
2008/2009: First – 132 points (second: New Zealand) 2009/2010: Sixth – 80 points (overall winner: Samoa) 2010/2011: Second – 140 points (overall winner: New Zealand) 2011/2012: Fifth - 125 points (overall winner: New Zealand) 2012/2013: Second - 132 points (overall winner: New Zealand) 2013/2014: Second - 152 points (overall winner: New Zealand) 2014/2015: Second – 154 points (overall winner: Fiji)
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Tournament victories (21) Wellington, 2002 Cardiff, 2003 Dubai, 2003* Singapore, 2004 London, 2005 Paris, 2006 Dubai, 2006 Adelaide, 2008 Dubai, 2008 George, 2008
Adelaide, 2009 Las Vegas, 2011 London, 2011 Edinburgh, 2011 Las Vegas 2013 Japan 2013 Glasgow 2013 Port Elizabeth 2013 Las Vegas 2014 Dubai 2014 Port Elizabeth 2014
The Blitzboks have won the South African title in 2008, 2013 and 2014 *Note: In the 2003/04-season, the Springbok Sevens team won the tournament in Dubai, but the log points earned in Dubai and George (losing semi-finalists) were later subtracted because of a playereligibility issue.
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Tournament information – Cape Town 7s Venue: Cape Town Stadium Capacity: 55,000 Twitter: @capetown7s Facebook: HSBC Cape Town Sevens
Pools: Pool A: Fiji, Argentina, Scotland, Russia Pool B: England, South Africa, Kenya, Zimbabwe Pool C: USA, Australia, Wales, Portugal Pool D: New Zealand, Samoa, France, Canada The Springbok Sevens squad for the HSBC Cape Town Sevens tournament (SARU contracted unless specified, number of World Series tournaments in brackets): 1. Chris Dry (45) 2. Philip Snyman (31) 3. Francois Hougaard (1) 4. Kwagga Smith (16) 5. Dylan Sage (0) 6. Kyle Brown (49 – captain) 7. Cheslin Kolbe (DHL Western Province, 9) 8. Ryno Benjamin (Toyota Free State Cheetahs, 30) 9. Justin Geduld (19) 10. Rosko Specman (6) 11. Seabelo Senatla (20) 12. Juan de Jongh (DHL Western Province, 2)
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Player Profiles – Cape Town Sevens 2015 Chris Dry Physical: 1.91m & 98kg, DOB: 13/02/1988, Cape Town Education: Grey Primary, Grey College (Bloemfontein), Central University of Technology (CUT), Bloemfontein. Other Squads: Free State (Schools Academy, Under-19, Under-21, Vodacom Cup, Absa Currie Cup); University of the Free State (FNB Varsity Cup) Tournaments: 45 - debut Adelaide 2010, 330 (66 tries) A very mobile and strong player, Dry brings physicality, line-out skills and grunt to the team. His experience and leadership will be an added bonus as will his play from kick-offs.
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Philip Snyman Physical: 1.88m & 98kg, DOB: 26/04/1987, Bloemfontein Education: Grey College Primary, Grey College Bloemfontein, University of Free State Other Squads: Free State (Coca-Cola Craven Week Schools, Under-19, Under-21, Vodacom Cup, Absa Currie Cup); Griffons Absa Currie Cup; Toyota Cheetahs Super Rugby. Tournaments: 31; Debut - Dubai 2010, 186 points (31 tries, 15 conversions) Snyman’s decision to forfeit a career playing Vodacom Super Rugby in order to play sevens has reaped huge benefits. He has become a very important squad member due to his versatility and is equally adapt playing in the forwards or backs. He can also kick at the poles as well when needed and is one of the core leaders in the team.
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Francois Hougaard Physical: 1.79m & 91kg, DOB: 06/04/1988, Paarl Education: Paul Roos Gymnasium, Stellenbosch Other Squads: DHL Western Province (Under-21, Absa Currie Cup); Vodacom Bulls (Super Rugby), Vodacom Blue Bulls (Currie Cup); Junior Springboks, Springboks. Tournaments: (1); Debut in Dubai, 2015; 10 points (2 tries) Hougaard, with 35 Springbok test caps on the wing as well as at scrumhalf, brings speed, flair and power to the Blitzboks. A fierce competitor with big match temperament, the easy-going player switched codes from fifteens with the 2016 Olympics in mind. Having won two Super Rugby titles with the Bulls, Hougaard will now chase gold with the Springbok Sevens team.
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Kwagga Smith Physical: 1.82m & 82 kg, DOB: 11/06/1993, Lydenburg Education: Lydenburg Primary, HTS Middelburg Other Squads: Team SA Commonwealth Games 2014; Pumas (Coca-Cola Craven Week), Xerox Golden Lions (Under-19, Under-21, Vodacom Cup, Absa Currie Cup), Junior Springboks 2013, Springboks Sevens Elite Development squad. Tournaments: 16; Debut - Port Elizabeth 2013, 165 points (33 tries) Smith is fresh off an Absa Currie Cup title won with the Xerox Golden Lions in October. The former Junior Springboks player has been massive in the Springbok Sevens jersey, where his work-rate, strong defence and forceful running caught the eye. It was no surprise that Smith made the 2014/15 HSBC World Series Dream Team as he had numerous strong performances in last year's series.
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Kyle Brown (Captain) Physical: 1.82m & 96 kg, DOB: 06/02/1987, Cape Town Education: SACS, Cape Town and University of Cape Town Other squads: Team SA Commonwealth Games 2014; Regent Boland Cavaliers Under -21, DHL Western Province Under-21, University of Cape Town Varsity Cup Tournaments: 49 - debut Dubai 2008; 360 points (72 tries) One of the real stalwarts on the world Sevens stage, Brown will be looking for another strong season. An honest player with high fitness levels and a natural leader, his presence on the pitch is an inspiring sight. His aerial skills are a highlight of his play, while his experience and leadership is key to his team’s success. South African Sevens Player of the Year in 2010.
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Cheslin Kolbe Physical: 1.71m & 75kg, DOB: 28/10/1993, Kraaifontein Education: Simonsberg Primary, Brackenfell High School Other Squads: DHL Western Province CravenWeek, Under-19, Under-21, Vodacom Cup, Absa Currie Cup); DHL Stormers; Junior Springboks Tournaments: 9 – Debut: London 2011; 103 points (11 tries, 24 conversions) The sensational running ability of Kolbe has been a highlight of his senior career and he bamboozled defences at all levels of rugby in 2015, including Vodacom Super Rugby, Absa Currie Cup and the HSBC Sevens World Series, where he represented South Africa in Dubai and PE in 2013, helping the hosts along to a tournament title in the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. Brilliant on attack with playmaker skills, Kolbe will be hard to contain. Kolbe has represented South Africa in the 2013 World Junior Championship in France in 2013 and the Rugby Sevens World Cup a month later in Moscow.
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Ryno Benjamin Physical: 1.87m & 90kg, DOB: 03/08/1983, St. Helena Bay Education: St. Helena Bay Primary, Weston High School Other Squads: Boland Kavaliers (Vodacom Cup, Absa Currie Cup); Xerox Golden Lions (Absa Currie Cup); Toyota Free State (Absa Currie Cup); Toyota Cheetahs, Vodacom Super Rugby. Tournaments: 30 – Debut: Dubai 2006; 444 points (88 tries, 2 conversions) Benjamin was a member of the national squad that won the overall series title in 2008/09 and also won titles in Dubai in 2006 and 2008. His love for sevens was rekindled in 2013 when he represented South Africa at the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Russia. He is keen to make a solid contribution before returning to the Vodacom Cheetahs for the 2016 Vodacom Super Rugby competition.
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Justin Geduld Physical: 1.75m & 72kg, DOB: 01/10/1993, Cape Town Education: Webner Primary, Tygerberg HS, Cape Town Other Squads: Team SA Commonwealth Games 2014; DHL Western Province Schools Craven Week, Under-19, Under-21 and Absa Currie Cup; SA Under-20 JWC 2013 squad. Tournaments: 19; Debut - Wellington 2013; 371 points (49 tries, 63 conversions) Geduld is one of the rising stars in the national game. Although of slender build, his deceptive pace and eye for a gap makes him a very difficult opponent. The young outside back also brings flair into the game. He also represented the Junior Springboks in the Junior World Championship in France in 2013 and was a stand-out for DHL Western Province in the domestic Absa Currie Cup competition.
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Cecil Afrika (Backs) Physical: 1.75m & 73kg, DOB: 03/03/1988, Port Elizabeth Education: Missionvale Primary & Hentie Cilliers HS, Virginia Fast facts: Other Squads: Griffons Craven Week, Griffons Under-19, Under-21, Griffons Vodacom Cup, Griffons Currie Cup; South Africa Under-19, Junior Boks Under-21. Tournaments: 39 - debut - Dubai 2009/10; 1019 (124 tries, 199 conversions) Afrika is a former IRB World Sevens Player of the Year, the first South African to be bestowed this honour and was also named South African Sevens Player of the Year in his career. He scored more than 100 tries in his career and is the leading point’s scorer for his country. His all-round abilities in Sevens are breath-taking and his ability to score vital tries in big games unmatched.
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Seabelo Senatla (Backs) Physical: 1.86m & 77kg, DOB: 10/03/1993, Welkom Education: Koppie Alleen Primary, Riebeeckstad High, Central University of Technology, Free State Other Squads: Team SA Commonwealth Games 2014; Griffons Craven Week Schools, CUT Varsity Cup, Junior Springboks 2013, DHL Western Province, DHL Stormers. Tournaments: 20; Debut - Wellington 2013; 490 points (98 tries) Senatla is one of the rising stars in South African rugby and joined the Springboks on their 2014 Castle Lager Outgoing Series to Europe, although he did not play any tests. He has already represented his country at the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Moscow and the Junior World Championships in France in 2013. A prolific try scorer with searing pace and great footwork, Senatla was leading try-scorer in the 2014/15 World Series.
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Juan de Jongh Physical: 1.75m & 85kg, DOB: 15/04/1988, Paarl Education: Hugenote Primary, Hugenote High School, Wellington; ETA; University of Stellenbosch Other Squads: Boland Craven Week; SA Schools; Maties Varsity Cup; DHL Western Province Under19; Vodacom Cup, Absa Currie Cup; DHL Stormers; Springboks Tournaments: 2; Debut – Wellington 2008; 20 points (4 tries) De Jongh made his Springbok Sevens debut in Wellington in 2008 and scored three tries against Fiji. That early form propelled him into the fifteen code where he played for the Springboks in the Rugby World Cup in 2011 and he captained DHL Western Province in their Absa Currie Cup win of 2014. His return to the Blitzboks could prove a decisive boost to this clever playmaker with his dancing feet.
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Dylan Sage Physical: 1.87m & 90kg, DOB: 24/01/1992, Cape Town Education: Wynberg Boys High Junior, Wynberg Boys High, Varsity College Other squads: UCT (FNB Varsity Cup), DHL Western Province Under-21; SARU Sevens Academy Tournaments: (0), Debut - Cape Town 2015 Sage played his way into the Springbok Sevens team via the Academy system. The winger/fullback first got noticed starring for the Ikey Tigers in the FNB Varsity Cup, which led to an invite to trial with the SARU Sevens Academy side in Stellenbosch. He excelled playing for this team in tournaments in Singapore and Dubai leading up to the HSBC Cape Town Sevens and will grab the opportunity to secure a more permanent spot in the team.
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Rosko Specman Physical: 1.66m & 72kg, DOB: 28/04/1989, Grahamstown Education: Mary Waters HS, Grahamstown Other Squads: KZN, Sharks XV Vodacom Cup; Steval Pumas Currie Cup; SA President’s XV 2013. Tournaments: 6; Debut – Las Vegas 2014; 29 points (five tries, two conversions) Specman is one of the most elusive runners in the game today. He has a wicked step and great pace, a lethal combination on attack. No wonder the former Cell C Sharks player was such a sensation on the wing for Steval Pumas and he was duly named Absa Currie Cup First Division Player of the Year in 2014. He has been swopping 15s and 7s with ease and after a short stint with the team in 2014, is keen to leave his mark on the world stage.
Milestones: •Kyle Brown will play in his 50th HSBC World Rugby Sevens tournament. Only Frankie Horne (68) played in more tournaments for South Africa. •Dylan Sage will make his debut for South Africa in this tournament. He will become Blitzbok number 157. •Francois Hougaard became the 156th player to represent South Africa in the HSBC World Rugby Sevens World Series when he made his debut in Dubai. •Coach Neil Powell could become the first player who also wins the overall series title as a coach, having being a member of the 2008/2009 team that won the overall series.
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Team Management Neil Powell – (Head coach) Powell had a stellar career as a player, representing the Springbok Sevens team in 32 tournament on the HSBC Sevens World Series and captained the side for a number of seasons as well. He played in the Vodacom Super Rugby competition for the Cats and The Sharks and represented Toyota Free State, Vodacom Blue Bulls and GWK Griquas in the Absa Currie Cup competition. After he retired from the playing field, he took to coaching and took charge of the SARU Elite Player Development Sevens squad. Tournament wins with this team in Kenya's Safari Sevens, the International tournament at the Dubai Sevens and the IPL Sevens in George pointed to his affinity in his new role. He also coached the South African Under-18 side to the gold medal at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Australia in 2013. He has now won a bronze medal as a player and a gold medal as a coach in Rugby Sevens at the Commonwealth Games. His next aim will be to become the first player who also wins the overall series title as a coach, having being a member of the 2008/2009 team that won the overall series. Hugh Everson – (Physiotherapist) Everson has worked as a physiotherapist for several top-class rugby teams, most notably the South African Under-19 team (2002-06) and Griqualand West in the Absa Currie Cup and Vodacom Cup (2004-06). Everson was also the physiotherapist for the SA Schools side in 2003 and for the Griquas U19 and U21 teams. Allan Temple-Jones – (Biokineticist) Temple-Jones started out at the Sports Science Institute of South Africa in 2005, before taking up full-time employment with SARU. He did his honours in Sports Science, specialising in biokinetics, and, apart from the Springbok Sevens team, has worked with the SA Under-19 side. “TJ” has also been involved in other sporting codes and has worked with the South African men’s hockey side, the Cape Cobras cricket team and professional football sides like Santos, Mamelodi Sundowns and Moroka Swallows. Ashley Evert – (Team Manager) Evert is a former South African Under-21 assistant-coach and won many provincial Under-19 and Under-21 titles with the Vodacom Blue Bulls. He joined the Springbok Sevens team as team manager three years ago and is hugely responsible for the seamless administration the squad enjoys.
Fast Springbok Sevens Facts: •There have been 156 Springboks Sevens players since the inception of the World Series in 1999 (excluding Sevens World Cups). *Two replacements, Brian Barnard (San Diego) and Filipe Rayasi (Brisbane) played for the team as those tournament’s reserve pool players, •No less than 32 BlitzBoks have gone on to represent the Springboks, with Warren Whiteley, Cornal Hendricks and Seabelo Senatla* the most recent. *Senatla did not play in any tests. •Springbok RWC 2015 captain Jean de Villiers is a former Springbok Sevens player and represented his country 11 times in the IRB World Series. Bryan Habana played in two tournaments. 19 | P a g e
Team records (All time) Top Scorers 1. Cecil Afrika 1019 (38 tournaments) 2. Fabian Juries, 925 points (44 tournaments) 3. Mzwandile Stick, 855 points (37 tournaments) 4. Stefan Basson, 691 points (19 tournaments) 5. Branco du Preez, 607 (33 tournaments)
Most tournament appearances 1. Frankie Horne 68 2. Kyle Brown 49 3. Chris Dry 45 4. Fabian Juries 44 5. Marius Schoeman 42
Most points scored in one match Andries Fourie 31 (v Malaysia in Tokyo 2000, SA won 84-0)
The list of dual Springboks are: Gio Aplon, Gcobani Bobo**, Gerrie Britz, Warren Britz, Heinrich Brussow, Tonderai Chavhanga, Bolla Conradie, Juan de Jongh, Jean de Villiers, Gaffie du Toit*, Grant Esterhuizen*, Kabamba Floors, Bryan Habana, Cornal Hendricks, Francois Hougaard*, Adrian Jacobs, Conrad Jantjes, Ryan Kankowski, Ricardo Loubscher, Jorrie Muller, Akona Ndungane, Jongi Nokwe, Jacques Olivier*, Deon Oosthuyzen*, Andre Pretorius, Jaco Pretorius, Earl Rose, Brent Russell, Andries Strauss, Joe van Niekerk, Jano Vermaak, Warren Whiteley, Ashwin Willemse, Chester Williams* Seabelo Senatla has been picked for the November 2013 tour, but did not play in any matches. Highlighted players are current Springboks *Played for the Springboks and then for Springbok Sevens **Played for Springbok Sevens, Springboks, again Springbok Sevens and then Springboks again.
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Team Contact details: Sebastian Prim (High Performance Manager: Springbok Sevens)
[email protected] +27829591488 Rayaan Adriaanse (SARU Media Manager)
[email protected] +27829990022 Twitter: @blitzboks
Compiled by SARU Corporate Affairs
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