Treu shows his hand
Nov 21,2012
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 Nelson Mandela Bay, Port Elizabeth.
Blitzbokke playmaker and former IRB Player of the Year Cecil 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.
Afrika is replaced by debutant Kevin Luiters, the promising 20-year old Free State Cheetahs scrum-half.
Philip Snyman, the Cheetahs outside back who recently re-joined the Springbok Sevens set-up on a two-year contract, returns in place of Ruwellyn Isbell while promising 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 (Free State Cheetahs) was not considered for selection due to a hamstring injury.
"It is obviously disappointing not to have Cecil fit for Dubai," said Treu.
"Unfortunately, he has not recovered fully and we will not take any chances.
"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."
South Africa share a tough pool challenge with crowd favourites, England, powerful Samoa and the ever-improving Portugal.
The Dubai Sevens will be played on 30 November and 1 December and followed by the Nelson Mandela Bay Sevens in Port Elizabeth on 8 and 9 December.
The team leave for Dubai on Sunday evening from the Cape Town International Airport.
Springbok Sevens squad: Chris Dry, Philip Snyman, Frankie Horne, Warren Whiteley, Cornal Hendricks, Kyle Brown (captain), Branco du Preez, Stephan Dippenaar, Paul Delport, Kevin Luiters, Tshotsho Mbovane, Steven Hunt.
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