Springboks ready for last big challenge
Thu, 27 May 2010 15:24
Murrayfield presents the Springbok team with the last opportunity to win an IRB Sevens World Series tournament this season and coach, Paul Treu will be hoping his team can go one step better than last week and finally lift a Series tournament crown.
The addition of Fabian Juries, Mzwandile Stick, Neil Powell and Renfred Dazel last week at Twickenham saw South Africa playing their best tournament of the season. The team lost a thrilling Cup Final 14-19 to Australia and only after Cecil Afrika was bundled into touch in almost the last movement of the match.
The experienced foursome were all still lacking in match-fitness but the extra week's preparation in Scotland should mean that they will be arriving at Murrayfield in much better condition.
Juries, who displayed moments of true brilliance again against Samoa and Australia when it mattered, will be hoping to do more of the same. He is third on the Series' list of all-time try scorers with 176 tries.
The Springbok Sevens have shown great consistency on defence and they have created enough opportunities but have struggled somewhat with their finishing. The team will however draw great courage from their draw with Fiji and their two knock-out victories over England and Samoa.
Samoa is leading the point standings with 140 points, seven more than New Zealand who is the only other title-contender. South Africa is in sixth place on 74 points.
The Springbok Sevens play their first match against Italy on Saturday, followed by clashes against Russia and then New Zealand.
South Africa: Mpho Mbiyozo, Chase Minnaar, Frankie Horne, Cecil Afrika, Neil Powell, Renfred Dazel, Fabian Juries, Ryno Benjamin, Chris Dry, Mzwandile Stick (captain), Hoffman Maritz, MJ Mentz.
Contact Us | Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy | Advertising
