LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 02: Cecil Afrika of South Africa carries the ball against Wales during the USA Sevens Rugby tournament at Sam Boyd Stadium on March 2, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. David Becker/Getty Images/AFP
Vancouver Sevens: Blitzboks face NZ, Russia and Scotland in the pools
The Blitzboks remain top of the World Series Sevens table, despite a few slip-ups in recent tournaments. They can’t afford any more stumbles, though, especially not in Vancouver, where they are drawn in a pool with their closest rivals – New Zealand.
LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 02: Cecil Afrika of South Africa carries the ball against Wales during the USA Sevens Rugby tournament at Sam Boyd Stadium on March 2, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. David Becker/Getty Images/AFP
The Blitzboks are definitely missing Seabelo Senatla since he departed for Super Rugby. They slipped up against Argentina in the semifinals of the past weekend’s Las Vegas Sevens, where the USA claimed the title.
The South African Sevens side then lost 26-22 to Fiji in the bronze final, finishing fourth overall.
This weekend, the World Series Sevens heads to Vancouver in Canada, before travelling East in April… with a Commonwealth Games pitstop between.
The Blitzboks have been drawn in a tricky pool for this weekend’s action, with New Zealand – who are second on the World Series table – Scotland and Russia.
As with Las Vegas, the time difference is a bit tricky for fans in South Africa, but you’ll be able to catch some of the early matches on Saturday.
Vancouver Sevens: Blitzboks fixtures
All times are SAST.
Saturday, 10 March
South Africa vs Russia, 19:52
South Africa vs Scotland, 23:24
Sunday, 11 March
South Africa vs New Zealand, 2:56
Knockout matches begin at 19:30 with the final scheduled for 4:19 on the morning of Monday, 12 March.
Blitzboks squad for Vancouver Sevens
Werner Kok is the only change to the squad for this weekend’s matches announces so far. Kok suffered a concussion during the Blitzboks’ opening match in Las Vegas. He will be replaced by Marco Labuschagne.
Blitzboks squad: Cecil Afrika, Branco du Preez, Kyle Brown, Philip Snyman, Ruhan Nel, Dylan Sage, Siviwe Soyizwapi, Zain Davids, Stedman Gans, Selvyn Davids, Hillegard Muller Du Plessis, Ryan Oosthuizen and Marco Labuschagne.
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