Coach Philip Snyman said the Blitzboks hope to make the Perth Sevens a ‘special one’ for Zain Davids, who will play in his 50th World Series event. Photo: AYANDA NDAMANE Independent Media
Zain Davids will reach his 50th HSBC SVNS tournament cap for the Blitzboks at next weekend’s Perth Sevens as the Cape Town champions also welcome the return of a key trio for the trip Down Under.
Ryan Oosthuizen, Ronald Brown and Selvyn Davids are back in the squad announced by Blitzbok head coach Philip Snyman on Thursday.
They replace Mfundo Ndhlovu, Shaun Williams and Tristan Leyds from the side that secured a historic triumph on home soil in December.
Snyman said Ndhlovu and Leyds were ruled out of the third leg of the series due to hand injuries, while the return to fitness of Selvyn Davids and Brown sees Williams missing out.
The coach – himself a member of an illustrious group of players with 50 or more World Series tournaments – admitted that the call was not easy to make after the South Africans ended a nine-year drought on home soil with the 26-14 win over France in a pulsating Cape Town Sevens final.
“Always after a good win, it’s difficult to make changes, and you want to build and keep continuity in the team,” the coach said.
“But one must also understand where we’re working towards something bigger, and that’s to build depth in our squad and working towards 2028 and give players opportunity.
“And I think then also you don’t really drop a guy because nobody played (badly) or had a bad tournament in Cape Town.
“It’s more of resting, and (to) have guys fresh and bring energy into the squad, and I think that was our whole outcome for this next one – to bring in one or two guys coming back or returning from injury, like a Selvyn Davids or Ronald Brown.”
Working 🛠️ 😤#BlitzBoks #PoweredByUnity pic.twitter.com/4GjGZJjCB6
— Springbok Sevens (@Blitzboks) January 10, 2025
Snyman admitted that the late withdrawal of winger Ndhlovu in particular was a “massive loss”.
“He was in the team travelling to Perth, but unfortunately an old injury stuck out again, so now we were forced to make one late change. But I think (we’re) very happy with where we are.”
Nevertheless, the Blitzbok coach is happy to have the starting team from Cape Town travelling, feeling that “that core should provide some momentum”.
“The aim was to keep the starting line-up from Cape Town. To have that continuity and then bring energy in like a Selvyn Davids, a Ronald Brown and a Ryan Oosthuizen is a massive boost.”
Oosthuizen, like Siviwe Soyizwapi, is also a member of the 50-plus club, so the Blitzboks will not be short on experience.
Zain Davids, who co-captained the team with Impi Visser at Cape Town Stadium, will share the same duties with his fellow prop again.
“I am really pleased for Zain to reach 50 tournaments; it is well deserved,” said Snyman. “He is really playing well at this stage of his career. We would love to make it a special one for him in Perth.”
Snyman said Selvyn Davids would be eased back.
“I am delighted to have him back, though, as we all know what magic he can bring to a match.
“We all know what abilities Ronald brings to the team, while Ryan’s work-rate will be huge for us in a tough pool.”
The Blitzboks will face USA, Australia and Argentina in pool play. They are currently fourth on the World Series log after the opening two tournaments in Dubai and Cape Town. | Independent Media Sport
Springbok Sevens Squad
Ryan Oosthuizen, Impi Visser (co-captain), Zain Davids (co-captain), Ricardo Duarttee, Ronald Brown, Selvyn Davids, Dewald Human, Siviwe Soyizwapi, Shilton van Wyk, Quewin Nortjé, Donavan Don, David Brits, Zander Reynders.