Prolific try scorer Seabelo Senatla is back for the London Sevens. Photo by Wessel Oosthuizen/SASPA
Regular captain Philip Snyman and leading try scorer Seabelo Senatla are among five players who have been recalled to the Springbok Sevens squad for the penultimate leg of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series in London next week.
Also returning are stalwarts Branco du Preez, Justin Geduld and Ruhan Nel, Blitzboks coach Neil Powell confirmed on Thursday.
Selvyn Davids, Kyle Brown and Rosko Specman, who all picked up injuries in Singapore, would miss the UK leg, along with Muller du Plessis who had linked up with the Junior Springboks.
Senatla, who scored 30 tries in the first four tournaments of the campaign, last played in the fourth leg of the series in Hamilton in February before taking up Super Rugby duties with the Stormers.
“It is great to have Seabelo back in the team,” Powell said.
“He is not regarded as one of the deadliest finishers on the circuit for nothing, so it is great to have him available.”
Powell was also pleased to call on the services of Snyman, Geduld, Du Preez and Nel.
“We managed the workload of some players as the last two tournaments will be crucial for us in retaining our World Series crown,” he said.
“To have experienced players like them coming back at this stage of the series is invaluable, especially as they will be fresh and eager to deliver their best performances.”
The Blitzboks were lying second overall, four points behind Fiji, ahead of the last two tournaments of the series.
Blitzboks squad for the HSBC London Sevens (2-3 July): Ryan Oosthuizen, Philip Snyman (captain), Dylan Sage, Zain Davids, Werner Kok, Heino Bezuidenhout, Branco du Preez, Siviwe Soyizwapi, Justin Geduld, Cecil Afrika, Seabelo Senatla, Ruhan Nel, Stedman Gans