Hat-trick for SA Sevens Academy
The SARU Sevens Academy's victory at the Sevens Premier League tournament in George on Sunday capped a remarkable seven weeks in which they won three tournaments.
The Academy side, playing under the Samurai banner, returned victorious from the Dubai International Invitational in December and opened the new year with consecutive wins in the Punte de Este Sevens and Sevens Premier League tournaments.
SARU Sevens Elite Player Development Manager, Marius Schoeman, who coached the team on all three occasions, praised the effort of his squad.
"The better quality play we can deliver, the better it is for the national team," said Schoeman.
"The positive performances of the Academy side shows the depth we have in our structures and highlights the fact that players are really pushing each other for a place in the national side."
A number of national contracted players featured in Mar del Plata and George, alongside young and upcoming stars such as the 18-year-old Warrick Gelant, a SA Schools and Under-18 player in 2013.
"It is important to create that winning culture in the program and to expose the next generation of players to the culture within the team and code," Schoeman said.
Gelant will be amongst a number of new intakes this week that will undergo condition and rehabilitation. The Academy team's next tournament is in March in Zimbabwe.
In George, the team won the final against the Titans, beating them 33-17. Earlier on Sunday, they came though the quarterfinals and semifinals by beating Living Ball (19-0) and SWD (26-0) respectively.
