Springbok Sevens Media Guide 2014/15 HSBC Sevens World Series Gold Coast Sevens, Australia October 2014

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1 Springbok Sevens Media Guide 2014/15 HSBC Sevens World Series Gold Coast Sevens, Australia October 2014 Content HSBC Sevens World Series Schedule Message from the Coach Springbok Sevens Brief history Tournament information Gold Coast Springbok Sevens Player Profiles Springbok Sevens Management Profiles 1 P a g e

2 HSBC Sevens World Series Schedule 2014/15 Australia: Gold Coast Sevens 11/12 October 2014 (Defending Champions: New Zealand) United Arab Emirates: Dubai Sevens 5/6 December 2014 (Defending Champions: Fiji) South Africa: Cell C Nelson Mandela Bay Sevens 13/14 December 2014 (Defending Champions: South Africa) New Zealand: Wellington Sevens 6/7 February 2015 (Defending Champions: New Zealand) USA: Las Vegas Sevens 13/15 February 2015 (Defending Champions: South Africa) Hong Kong: Hong Kong Sevens 27/29 March 2015 (Defending Champions: New Zealand) Japan: Tokyo Sevens 4/5 April 2015(Defending Champions: Fiji) Scotland: Glasgow Sevens 9/10 May 2015 (Defending Champions: New Zealand) England: London Sevens 16/17 May 2015 (Defending Champions: New Zealand) Justin Geduld scored 190 points in the 2013/14 season 2 P a g e

3 Message from the Springbok Sevens coach The start of a new season is always an exciting prospect. For us as coaches as well as the players and, of course, the supporters! Our aim this season is to improve on our second place in the HSBC Sevens World Series and to qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. We managed to end off the previous season in style by winning the Gold Medal at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. It was a thrilling tournament and a great spectacle the players really enjoyed the atmosphere at the Ibrox Stadium, and that win will no doubt inspire and motivate us all to aim for one of the four automatic Olympic qualifying spots. The top for teams on the final log of the World Series will gain automatic entry to the 2016 Olympics. However, I have said many times before that I will not allow my team to get ahead of itself and to become complacent, despite the two Series tournaments we won last year and the Gold medal in Glasgow. I believe that teams will make it very tough for us because of our success in Glasgow, and the fact that only four teams will gain automatic qualification for Olympics means that we are in for the toughest World Series yet. Our preparations have not gone as smoothly as I have hope for, but that is no excuse and the team will be ready as ever when we play over the weekend. Apart from a few light injuries, we also had one player joining us late. Kwagga Smith was busy with Absa Currie Cup commitments for the Xerox Golden Lions, meaning he could only join us on the day that we travelled to Australia from Johannesburg. The team were really privileged and very surprised when we were asked to hand over the playing jerseys to the Springboks last Friday in Johannesburg. The Springboks delivered a fantastic performance the next day to beat the All Blacks at Ellis Park and we will never forget that wonderful and unforgettable experience. Frankie Horne will captain the team in his 60 th consecutive World Series tournament, which is a fantastic achievement, while we have included one newcomer Ruhan Nel (Xerox Golden Lions) for the opening tournament at the Gold Coast in Australia. The guys are all focussed and realise the importance of a good start to this very important season. Best wishes, Neil Powell 3 P a g e

4 Coach Neil Powell is in charge of the Springbok Sevens in his second season Springbok Sevens HSBC Sevens World Series history 1999/2000: Fifth 80 points (overall winner: New Zealand) 2000/2001: Fifth 82 points (overall winner: New Zealand) 2001/2002: Second 136 points (overall winner: New Zealand) 2002/2003: Fourth 82 points (overall winner: New Zealand) 2003/2004: Fifth 74 points (overall winner: New Zealand) (see Note) 2004/2005: Fourth 76 points (overall winner: New Zealand) 2005/2006: Third 110 points (overall winner: Fiji) 2006/2007: Fourth 94 points (overall winner: New Zealand) 2007/2008: Second 106 points (overall winner: New Zealand) 2008/2009: First 132 points (second: New Zealand) 2009/2010: Sixth 80 points (overall winner: Samoa) 2010/2011: Second 140 points (overall winner: New Zealand) 2011/2012: Fifth points (overall winner: New Zealand) 2012/2013: Second points (overall winner: New Zealand) 4 P a g e

5 2013/2014: Second points (overall winner: New Zealand) Tournament victories (19) Wellington, 2002 Cardiff, 2003 Dubai, 2003* Singapore, 2004 London, 2005 Paris, 2006 Dubai, 2006 Adelaide, 2008 Dubai, 2008 George, 2008 Adelaide, 2009 Las Vegas, 2011 London, 2011 Edinburgh, 2011 Las Vegas 2013 Japan 2013 Glasgow 2013 Port Elizabeth 2013 Las Vegas 2014 The team has won the Las Vegas title in 2011, 2013 and P a g e

6 *Note: In the 2003/04-season, the Springbok Sevens team won the tournament in Dubai, but the log points earned in Dubai and George (losing semi-finalists) were later subtracted because of a playereligibility issue. Tournament information Gold Coast 7s Venue: Cbus Super Stadium City: Gold Coast Capacity: 27,400 Website: Host union: The ARU Tournament enquiries: Steve Stammers Steve.Stammers@rugby.com.au Pools Pool A: New Zealand, Samoa, France, Japan Pool B: South Africa, Kenya, Wales, American Samoa Pool C: Fiji, Australia, Scotland, Portugal Pool D: England, Canada, Argentina, United States Past winners 2013: New Zealand 2012: Fiji 2011 (2011/12 Series): Fiji 2011: New Zealand 2010: Samoa 2009: South Africa 2008: South Africa 2007: Fiji 2003: England 6 P a g e

7 2002: Australia 2000: Fiji Fixtures: South Africa (local SA time) Saturday 11 October South Africa v Wales 03h18 South Africa v American Samoa 06h39 South Africa v Kenya 10h17 Springbok Sevens Head to Head: Head to Head: Pool B Day One: Wales: Played: 35 - won 34, Wales 1 Points Scored: South Africa 949, Wales 298 Average score: 27-9 South Africa highest score: 56-0 Mar del Plata January 2002 Last met: Hong Kong 30 March 2014 Plate Final won Previous encounters in Gold Coast: Cup Quarter Final 13 October 2013: won American Samoa The two sides has never played against each other Kenya Played: 37 - won 32, Kenya 4, Draw 1 Points Scored: South Africa 987, Kenya 344 Average score: 27-9 South Africa highest score: George December 2014 Last met: London 11 May 2014 Plate Final, won Previous encounters in Gold Coast: Third place final 14 October 2013: Won P a g e

8 Performances in 2013 tournament Third place: South Africa 0, England 47 Semifinal Cup: South Africa 19, Australia 24 Quarterfinal Cup: South Africa 28, Wales 21 Pool B: South Africa 22, England 14 Pool B: South Africa 38, Spain 7 Pool B: South Africa 29, France 5 The Springbok Sevens team to play at the Gold Coast is (SARU contracted unless indicated otherwise, World Series caps in brackets): 1. Chris Dry (37) 2. Philip Snyman (24) 3. Frankie Horne (59, captain) 4. Kwagga Smith (6) 5. Werner Kok (9) 6. Ruhan Nel (debutant, Xerox Golden Lions) 7. Justin Geduld (13) 8. Branco du Preez (32) 9. Stephan Dippenaar (21) 10. Cecil Afrika (30) 11. Steven Hunt (22) 12. Seabelo Senatla (10) Commonwealth Games Gold Medal winners Glasgow P a g e

9 Player Profiles Gold Coast 2014 Chris Dry (Forwards) Physical: 1.91m & 98kg, DOB: 13/02/1988, Cape Town Education: Grey Primary, Grey College (Bloemfontein), Central University of Technology (CUT), Bloemfontein. Fast facts: Chris plays as a looseforward in the 15-a-side code. His favourite food is lamb ribs. He is a self-proclaimed garage junkie who loves fixing things. Other Squads: Team SA Commonwealth Games 2014; Free State (Schools Academy, Under-19, Under-21, Vodacom Cup, Absa Currie Cup); University of the Free State (FNB Varsity Cup) Tournaments: 37 - debut Adelaide 2010; 315 points (63 tries) Dry will be one of the core players in this series. A very mobile and strong player, Dry brings physicality, line-out skills and grunt to the team. His experience and leadership will be an added bonus. He reached 50 career tries at the Gold Coast last year. 9 P a g e

10 Philip Snyman (Forwards) Physical: 1.88m & 98kg, DOB: 26/04/1987, Bloemfontein Education: Grey College Primary, Grey College Bloemfontein, University of Free State Fast facts: Nothing gets Snyman going better than the music of U2 and a healthy portion of steak. Other Squads: Free State (Coca-Cola Craven Week Schools, Under-19, Under-21, Vodacom Cup, Absa Currie Cup); Griffons Absa Currie Cup; Toyota Cheetahs Super Rugby. Tournaments: 24; Debut - Dubai 2010: 130 points (20 tries, 15 conversions) Snyman s decision to forfeit a career in fifteens and playing Vodacom Super Rugby has reaped benefits for this fast and strong winger. He is a versatile player, equally adapt in the forwards or backs and can kick at the poles as well when needed. Just returning from injury, Snyman will be fresh and eager to perform for his team and country Frankie Horne (Forwards, captain) Physical: 1.83m & 105kg, DOB: 24/02/1983, Port Elizabeth Education: Hugenote Primary & Hugenote HS (Wellington) Fast facts: Horne has not missed a tournament since his debut in Dubai in 2007 and is South Africa s most experienced Sevens player of all time. His favourite food is meat and he loves to listen to the music of Rise Against. 10 P a g e

11 Other Squads: Team SA Commonwealth Games 2014; Boland Cavaliers (Under-20, Vodacom Cup, Absa Currie Cup) Tournaments: 59, Debut - Dubai 2007/08, 270 points (54 tries) As the most experience player in the squad, Horne takes charge in matches with a brutal defence. The ever-present veteran will be invaluable if the Springbok Sevens are to win this tournament. He will extend his HSBC Sevens World Series record of consecutive tournaments to 60 this weekend. Kwagga Smith (Forwards) Physical: 1.82m & 82 kg, DOB: 11/06/1993, Lydenburg Education: Lydenburg Primary, HTS Middelburg Fast Facts: Played for the Junior Springboks in France at the 2013 IRB Junior World Championship as a looseforward. A Steak and Chips meal makes him happy. Other Squads: Team SA Commonwealth Games 2014; Pumas (Coca-Cola Craven Week), Xerox Golden Lions (Under-19, Under-21, Vodacom Cup, Absa Currie Cup), Junior Springboks 2013, Springboks Sevens Elite Development squad. Tournaments: 6; Debut - Port Elizabeth, 45 points (9 tries). Smith has been part of the squad for the last two years and his elevation into the senior squad was a matter of time. A tireless player around the tackle area with good distribution skills, Smith has all the 11 P a g e

12 abilities to stay in the squad for a long time. Smith was also a key player for the Junior Springboks in the 2013 JWC in France and played with great success with the Xerox Golden Lions in the Absa Currie Cup. Branco du Preez (Backs) Physical: 1.66m & 75kg, DOB: 08/05/1990, George Education: Van der Hoven Primary & PW Botha College (George), Harmony Sports Academy, Virginia, Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) Pretoria Fast facts: Du Preez played scrumhalf and centre for the Junior Springboks in the IRB Junior World Championships in Other Squads: Team SA Commonwealth Games 2014; Griffons (Coca-Cola Craven Week, Under-19); TUT (FNB Varsity Cup), Blue Bulls (Under-19, Under-21), South Africa (Under-20) Tournaments: 32 - Debut Wellington (2009/10), 593 points (57 tries, 154 conversions). Du Preez has become a real stalwart in the squad and has pretty much made the sweeper role his own. Dynamite comes in small packages and Du Preez certainly provides just that with his explosive pace and lightning breaks. His value as a reliable goal-kicker has helped the team immensely in 2013/14 and it was no surprise that Du Preez was top-scorer for his side with 200 points in the season. 12 P a g e

13 Stephan Dippenaar (Utility) Physical: 1.88m & 94kg, DOB: 03/01/1988, Moorreesburg Education: Dirkie Uys Primary & Paul Roos Gymnasium (Stellenbosch) Fast facts: Dippenaar has won a Vodacom Super Rugby title with the Vodacom Bulls. His favourite food is pizza and steak and he loves to listen to rock music. Other Squads: DHL Western Province (Schools Academy, Under-19); Vodacom Blue Bulls (Under-19, Under-21, Vodacom Cup; Absa Currie Cup); Vodacom Bulls (Vodacom Super Rugby); South Africa (Under-19, Junior Boks) Tournaments: 21; Debut Wellington 2011/12, 160 points (32 tries) As one of the young stars of South African rugby at the time, Dippenaar s decision to move to Sevens was a massive boost to the code. This friendly and outgoing player is a popular squad member amongst the fans. He has grown into his role of senior player and will be very influential on attack. 13 P a g e

14 Justin Geduld (Backs) Physical: 1.75m & 72kg, DOB: 01/10/1993, Cape Town Education: Webner Primary, Tygerberg HS, Cape Town Fast facts: Geduld is a quiet individual who loves listening to kwaito music. His favourite meal is a pasta dish. Other Squads: Team SA Commonwealth Games 2014; DHL Western Province Schools Craven Week, Under-19, Under-21 and Absa Currie Cup; SA Under-20 JWC 2013 squad. Tournaments: 13; Debut - Wellington 2013; 249 points (35 tries, 37 conversions) Geduld is one of the rising stars in the national game. Although of slender build, his deceptive pace and eye for a gap makes him a very difficult opponent. The young outside back also brings flair into the game. He also represented the Junior Springboks in the Junior World Championship in France in 2013 and was a stand-out for DHL Western Province in the domestic Absa Currie Cup competition. 14 P a g e

15 Werner Kok (Utility) Physical: 1, 77m & 80kg, DOB: 17/01/1993, Nelspruit Education: Nelspruit Primary, Nelspruit High School Fast facts: Kok loves Hip Hop music, his favourite meal is pizza and fish and any re-run of Black Hawk Down will keep him glued to the screen. Other Squads: Team SA Commonwealth Games 2014; Pumas Grant Khomo Under-16; Craven Week Under-18; DHL Western Province Under-19; SA Elite Player Development Sevens Tournaments: 9, Debut London 2013 (85 points, 17 tries) Kok is a product of the SA Elite Player Development Sevens squad and has delivered some impressive performances in their wins in Nairobi, Kenya and Dubai at the International Invitational. He is fast and strong and was a stand-out on the wing for the DHL Western Province team that won the Under-19 provincial Championship in He scored the winning try in the 2014 Las Vegas Cup final against New Zealand. 15 P a g e

16 Cecil Afrika (Backs) Physical: 1.75m & 73kg, DOB: 03/03/1988, Port Elizabeth Education: Missionvale Primary & Hentie Cilliers HS, Virginia Fast facts: Afrika is a former IRB World Sevens Player of the Year, the first South African to be bestowed this honour and was also named South African Sevens Player of the Year in his career. His favourite food is pasta and he loves to listen to R&B. Other Squads: Griffons Craven Week, Griffons Under-19, Under-21, Griffons Vodacom Cup, Griffons Currie Cup; South Africa Under-19, Junior Boks Under-21. Tournaments: 30 - debut - Dubai 2009/10, 880 points (103 tries, 181 conversions, 1 drop goal) Now firmly established as one of the top sevens players of all time, Afrika returns to the circuit after only ten appearances in the last three seasons after injuries prevented him from playing. His all-round abilities in Sevens are breath-taking and his ability to score vital tries in big games unmatched. 16 P a g e

17 Steven Hunt (Backline) Physical: 1, 78m & 85kg, DOB: 14/10/1988, Port Elizabeth Education: Grey Junior, Grey High School, Port Elizabeth, University of Stellenbosch Fast Facts: Hunt loves to listen to music while cooking his favourite dish - Basil Pesto Pasta. Other Squads: Team SA Commonwealth Games 2014; Eastern Province Academy Schools, Under-19; DHL Western Province Under-21, Absa Currie Cup Tournaments: 22; Debut George points (43 tries, 3 conversions) Hunt is one of the veterans in the team, but also one of the more influential ones. He has suffered some injuries that halted his progress on the circuit, but has shown good determination to fight back and regain his place in the squad. A versatile player that can play anywhere in the backline, the former winger in fifteens has not lost his appetite for scoring tries, but in recent years, has played the role of playmaker with great success. 17 P a g e

18 Seabelo Senatla (Backs) Physical: 1.86m & 77kg, DOB: 10/03/1993, Welkom Education: Koppie Alleen Primary, Riebeeckstad High, Central University of Technology, Free State Fast facts: Senatla was a sprinter at high school where he was spotted by rugby scouts. Other Squads: Team SA Commonwealth Games 2014; Griffons Craven Week Schools, CUT Varsity Cup, Junior Springboks Tournaments: 10; Debut - Wellington 2013: 220 points (44 tries) Senatla is one of the rising stars in South African rugby and already represented his country at the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Moscow and the Junior World Championships in France in A prolific try scorer with searing pace and great footwork, Senatla is set to be a major trump card for the Springbok Sevens team in the HSBC Sevens World Series. He was impressive in his first season of Absa Currie Cup rugby, the local domestic provincial showpiece in fifteens. 18 P a g e

19 Ruhan Nel (Utility) Physical: 1.92 & 90kg, DOB: 17 May 1991, Johannesburg Education: Rynfield Primary, Brandwag HS, University of Johannesburg Fast Facts: In his Currie Cup debut in 2013, Nel scored a try for the Xerox Golden Lions within the first five minutes he came onto the field (against the Toyota Free State Cheetahs). He will become the 155 th player to represent South Africa in the HSBC Sevens World Series. Other squads: Steval Pumas (Under-19), Xerox Golden Lions (Vodacom Cup, Absa Currie Cup), FNB WITS Varsity Cup Tournaments: 0 on debut Nel made steady progress as a professional player over the last couple of seasons and his national call-up speaks volumes of his commitment and endeavour. A strong, fast and physical player, Nel will bring bulk and speed to the Blitzboks efforts in Gold Coast. He has a good appetite for rugby and work hard off the ball. Expect him to land on his feet in his first tournament. 19 P a g e

20 Milestones Frankie Horne is the only player in the history of the HSBC Sevens World Series to play 59 consecutive tournaments. He will extend that record to 60 this weekend. Branco du Preez looks set to break the 600 points mark, having scored 593 career points so far Cecil Afrika (880*) could pass Fabian Juries (925) as the biggest points scorer for the Blitzboks in the HSBC Sevens World Series Ruhan Nel will become the 155 th player to represent South Africa in the HSBC Sevens World Series in Gold Coast. Coach Neil Powell could become the first player who also wins the overall series title as a coach, having being a member of the 2008/2009 team that won the overall series. Team Management Neil Powell (Head coach) Powell had a stellar career as a player, representing the Springbok Sevens team in 32 tournament on the HSBC Sevens World Series and captained the side for a number of seasons as well. He played in the Vodacom Super Rugby competition for the Cats and The Sharks and represented Toyota Free State, Vodacom Blue Bulls and GWK Griquas in the Absa Currie Cup competition. After he retired from the playing field, he took to coaching and took charge of the SARU Elite Player Development Sevens squad. Tournament wins with this team in Kenya's Safari Sevens, the International tournament at the Dubai Sevens and the IPL Sevens in George pointed to his affinity in his new role. He also coached the South African Under-18 side to the gold medal at the 20 P a g e

21 Commonwealth Youth Games in Australia in He has now won a bronze medal as a player and a gold medal as a coach in Rugby Sevens at the Commonwealth Games. His next aim will be to become the first player who also wins the overall series title as a coach, having being a member of the 2008/2009 team that won the overall series. Hugh Everson (Physiotherapist) Everson has worked as a physiotherapist for several topclass rugby teams, most notably the South African Under-19 team ( ) and Griqualand West in the Absa Currie Cup and Vodacom Cup ( ). Everson was also the physiotherapist for the SA Schools side in 2003 and for the Griquas U19 and U21 teams ( ). Allan Temple-Jones (Biokineticist) Temple-Jones started out at the Sports Science Institute of South Africa in 2005, but is now full-time with SARU. He did his honours in Sports Science, specialising in biokinetics, and, apart from the Springbok Sevens team, has worked with the SA Under-19 side. TJ has also been involved in other sporting codes and has worked with the South African men s hockey side, the Cape Cobras cricket team and professional football sides like Santos, Mamelodi Sundowns and Moroka Swallows. Ashley Evert (Team Manager) Evert is a former South African Under-21 assistant-coach and won many provincial Under-19 and Under-21 titles with the Vodacom Blue Bulls. He joined the Springbok Sevens team as team manager two years ago and is hugely responsible for the seamless administration the squad enjoys. Fast Springbok Sevens Facts: There have been 154 Springboks Sevens players since the inception of the World Series in 1999 (excluding Sevens World Cups). No less than 31 BlitzBoks have gone on to represent the Springboks. Current Springbok captain Jean de Villiers is a former Springbok Sevens player and represented his country 11 times in the IRB World Series. Bryan Habana played in two tournaments. Team records (All time) Top Scorers 1. Fabian Juries, 925 points (44 tournaments) 2. Cecil Afrika, 880 points (30 tournaments) 3. Mzwandile Stick, 855 points (37 tournaments) 4. Stefan Basson, 691 points (19 tournaments) 5. Branco du Preez, 593 (32 tournaments) 21 P a g e

22 Top Try scorers: 1. Fabian Juries 179 (44 tournaments) 2. Cecil Afrika 103 (30 tournaments) 3. Marius Schoeman 103 (42 tournaments) 4. Mzwandile Stick 86 (37 tournament) Top Goal kickers: 1. Mzwandile Stick (210) 2. Stefan Basson (195) 3. Cecil Afrika (182) 4. Branco du Preez (153) 5. Brent Russell (118) Most tournament appearances 1. Frankie Horne Fabian Juries Marius Schoeman Kyle Brown Mzwandile Stick Chris Dry 37 Most points scored in one match Andries Fourie 31 (v Malaysia in Tokyo 2000, SA won 84-0) The list of dual Springboks are: Gio Aplon, Gcobani Bobo**, Gerrie Britz, Warren Britz, Heinrich Brussow, Tonderai Chavhanga, Bolla Conradie, Juan de Jongh, Jean de Villiers, Gaffie du Toit*, Grant Esterhuizen*, Kabamba Floors, Bryan Habana, Cornal Hendricks, Adrian Jacobs, Conrad Jantjes, Ryan Kankowski, Ricardo Loubscher, Jorrie Muller, Akona Ndungane, Jongi Nokwe, Jacques Olivier*, Deon Oosthuyzen*, Andre Pretorius, Jaco Pretorius, Earl Rose, Brent Russell, Andries Strauss, Joe van 22 P a g e

23 Niekerk, Jano Vermaak, Warren Whiteley, Ashwin Willemse, Chester Williams* Highlighted players are current Springboks *Played for the Springboks and then for Springbok Sevens **Played for Springbok Sevens, Springboks, again Springbok Sevens and then Springboks again. Team Contact details: Sebastian Prim (High Performance Manager: Springbok Sevens) Rayaan Adriaanse (SARU Media Manager) Compiled by SARU Corporate Affairs 23 P a g e